Grow In Grace: 7 Characteristics Of A Mature Christian

The path to becoming a mature Christian is a journey of grace. It’s not about how old we are or what we do, but what we allow God to do in us.

Growing in grace is the journey to becoming a mature Christian. that requires patience, persistence, and a willingness to learn and grow. It is a spiritual growth process involving seeking God’s will, surrendering our desires, and relying on His strength to transform us. 

But how do we grow in grace?

The Bible tells us that our salvation comes entirely through grace. We don’t need to ask for more grace because we received everything we needed through salvation. 

However, the journey of deepening our relationship with God is a lifelong process that leads to an increase in grace. As we learn to rely on God’s goodness and allow His Spirit to transform us from within, we will experience growth in grace over time.

As we grow in grace, we understand more deeply the power of God’s love and forgiveness. We become better equipped to extend that same grace and forgiveness to others. 

Ultimately, growing in grace is a journey that leads to a deeper and more meaningful life in Christ.

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. 2 Peter 3:18 (ESV)

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7 Characteristics of a Mature Christian

Christian maturity is not determined by age. Although experience and wisdom can come with time, a person’s spiritual maturity is not measured by the years they have lived. 

Jesus himself said that one must become like a child to enter the kingdom of heaven. This suggests that childlike qualities such as faith, humility, and trust are more important than age when it comes to spiritual growth.

• And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:2-4 (ESV).

Christian maturity requires humility, patience, and a willingness to surrender our own desires and ambitions to God’s will. It’s not always the easy path. But as we grow in grace, we will discover that God does all things for our good and His glory.

As our reliance on the Lord increases, our lives produce the fruit that comes naturally from the Holy Spirit. And these characteristics begin to define our lives in ways we never knew would be possible.

1. Love

Love for God and others is not just a superficial or a fleeting feeling but a deep and sincere commitment to put God and others first in our thoughts, actions, and relationships. 

When a young man asked Jesus to tell him what the greatest commandment was, Jesus answered,

• You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 22:37-39 (ESV)

This love is demonstrated through a willingness to serve, sacrifice, and give of oneself to meet the needs of others. Living out this love means actively seeking opportunities to serve and bless others, even when it’s inconvenient or uncomfortable. 

2. Humility

Humility in Christian growth allows us to approach life with a sense of freedom, as we don’t need to constantly prove ourselves or compare ourselves to others. Instead, we can rest in the knowledge that God loves us just as we are and that He has a unique purpose and plan for our lives. 

All that we have and all that we are comes from God’s grace. We approach others with a spirit of gentleness and kindness, seeking to serve rather than to be served. And we are quick to ask for forgiveness and extend grace to others when we fall short, recognizing that we are all imperfect and need God’s mercy.

In all of this, we follow the example of Jesus, who humbled Himself and became a servant, even to the point of death on the cross (Philippians 2:5-8). By imitating His humility, we can grow in our relationship with God and become the kind of mature Christians who reflect His love and grace to the world.

• But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” James 4:6 (ESV)

3. Faith

Faith is a gift from God, which enables us to receive and respond to His grace. As we grow in faith and trust in God’s grace, we become more fully the people He created us to be, and we can experience the joy and freedom of living in His love and purpose.

Our faith in God’s grace is a source of hope, joy, and peace in our lives. When we trust in God’s goodness and provision, we experience a deep sense of contentment and well-being, even in the midst of difficult circumstances. And as we grow in faith, we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to live with hope and purpose, even when we face challenges or uncertainty. 

• May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13 (ESV)

4. Wisdom

Wisdom helps us to see beyond our limited perspective and to consider the needs and views of others. It allows us to empathize with those who are hurting, offers encouragement and comfort, and serves others with compassion and generosity.

A mature Christian’s relationship with God is rooted in a deep understanding of the Bible and its teachings. They hunger for God’s Word and regularly study and meditate on it. As they read and reflect on the Bible, they seek to understand its meaning and apply its teachings to their daily life.

• For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. Proverbs 2:6

5. Forgiveness

Growing in grace is an essential aspect of Christian maturity. It is closely related to the ability to forgive others and extend grace and mercy to them. A mature Christian understands that forgiveness is a key component of their relationship with God and that they are called to forgive others just as God has forgiven them.

One of the signs of a mature Christian is that they are quick to forgive others, even when they have been wronged or hurt. They recognize that holding onto bitterness, anger, and resentment only leads to further pain and brokenness. They choose instead to extend grace and mercy to others.

This does not mean that a mature Christian ignores or minimizes the hurt or harm that has been done to them. Instead, they choose to release the person who has hurt them from the debt they owe, just as God has freed them from the debt they owe Him. In doing so, they find freedom and healing and can move forward in their relationship with God and others.

• Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:13

6. Integrity

One of the hallmarks of a mature Christian is their commitment to honesty, both in their words and actions. They understand that truthfulness is a key component of their relationship with God and others, and they choose to speak and act in a truthful and reliable manner.

Being true to oneself is super important for Christians who want to grow in their faith. This means living a life that lines up with your beliefs and values, even when nobody’s around to see what you’re up to. 

As Christians grow and mature, they realize that their relationship with God is the cornerstone of who they are and how they act, so they strive to live in a way that honors His teachings and values.

• The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity. Proverbs 11:3 (NIV)

7. Servant’s heart

Helping others is key to following Christ’s example and fulfilling the call to love and care for those around us. One of the marks of a mature Christian is their willingness to put the needs of others first, even when it requires personal sacrifice or inconvenience. 

As Christians grow in their faith, they become more gracious and compassionate towards others. They start to see beyond their own wants and needs and notice the struggles of those around them. This makes them more empathetic and kind, always looking for ways to help others in meaningful ways.

Plus, mature Christians know that helping others isn’t just about official volunteer work or big donations. They show love and kindness in everyday interactions because they know even the smallest gestures can make a big difference in someone’s life. It’s all about being considerate and helpful to those around them and looking for ways to brighten someone’s day.

• Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12 (NIV)

Resources:

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