2 Corinthians 10:12 (ESV) Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.

Does growth in Christ indicate maturity? In the world we may well call someone immature by their actions and not their age. Conversely we might identify a youth as mature beyond his years. This is the essence of the opening passage, commending one another by comparing one another among ourselves.

I did an internet search for signs of Christian maturity and I discovered a wide variety of results about spiritual maturity. It would seem the internet equates Christian maturity with spiritual maturity. That was not my question and I did not receive a direct answer. Perhaps the best of those web search results was one man who said, “I am not mature and neither are you.” Those words were generated with an understanding that maturity is not attained until we are translated into the incorruptible form. That is one way to look at it but what does the bible say?

Matthew 13:8-9 (ESV) ”Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears, let him hear.”

The parable of the sower indicates that the quantity of production was no bearing on maturity, just that fruit has been produced. Our basic insecurities as humans tends to believe that effort produces results. If I have not produced enough fruit, I am not trying hard enough. That is a world view and Satan’s recipe for failure.

It may be that the internet provided a spiritual maturity answer and not a Christian maturity answer because the bible provides a list of spiritual fruits. That is something that can be measured.

My answer to what defines Christian mature is simple. God the Father determines maturity. Your relationship with Him matures. If He wants more of you, He will tell you. Don’t let me and anyone else replace His opinion with ours.

Hebrews 6:1 (ESV) Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,

Elementary is defined as easily dealt with; straightforward and uncomplicated.

A doctor of theology stated to us that the nature of the human condition likes to make things complicated. Perhaps we believe that if we can make things complicated we are needed, valued and superior. There are mysteries within the bible and kingdom living. Those things were meant to sort out those who either do not have the Holy Spirit as a tutor, or have not learned to hear with those spiritual ears.

Foundational truths about our God are simple, straightforward and easily dealt with. The gospel is as simple as it gets. This is so that anyone who might come can come to believe on Jesus Christ. An invitation cloaked in mystery is not an invitation.

How it works and why it works is a step further in understanding and we have pastors and teachers to help us navigate those waters. No one is meant to drown. Some flounder but didn’t we all need to learn how to swim?

Here is the essential truth of elementary school; do your disciples understand the lessons? If they do not, make the lesson more elementary. Remove complexity, ambiguity and mystery from the lessons.

When you read the last paragraph was your first thought, “But I don’t have any disciples.”

Matthew 28:19 (ESV) Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

We are told to make disciples. If your first instinct is to defend yourself by saying you are not an evangelist, a pastor or an apostle, allow me to refer you back to Matthew 28:16 where disciples were told to make disciples. Discipleship comes down to one simple issue, share what you have been taught.