The Measure of a Mature Faith
What does it look like to be maturing in faith?
That’s an important question. And many people answer it by creating a list—attributes to develop or behaviors to master. The thinking often goes something like this: the more we understand, and the better we perform certain spiritual practices, the more mature we must be.
But there’s a danger in that approach.
The focus can slowly turn inward. Without realizing it, we can begin to think that spiritual maturity is mainly about us—about what we know, what we say, and what we are able to do.
When that happens, our faith can quietly drift into something we manage apart from God and His active work in our lives.
Some of the very things that look spiritual on the outside can actually become self-referenced rather than God-responsive.
If a community rewards that kind of living for long enough, it can slowly become legalistic. Instead of helping people grow in freedom, it can begin to build subtle forms of spiritual bondage—even discouraging the hearts of those who genuinely want to follow Jesus.
(That sounds intense, but it happens more easily than we might think.)
The truth is, Christian maturity is difficult to measure. But people can experience it when it is present in someone’s life.
So if maturity is not mainly about what we know or how we perform, what does it look like?
At its core, a mature faith is centered on Jesus.
It listens for His voice.
It looks for His direction.
It desires His will and delights in obeying Him.
Jesus becomes the focus and purpose of life.
The apostle Paul expressed this clearly when he wrote:
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)
Maturing faith increasingly believes in Jesus, lives for Jesus, and depends on the power of Jesus—through the Holy Spirit.
In many ways, it really is that simple.
We need to encourage one another—and gently hold each other accountable—to live this way.
Paul also described the growth process in another place:
“When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.” (1 Corinthians 13:11)
Growing in faith means gradually letting go of the things that once defined us—false comforts, false identities, and false ways of measuring success.
Instead, we keep coming back to Jesus.
And when the Holy Spirit reveals something new about Him—or shows us where we have fallen short—we simply repent and keep following. A mature faith remains humble and teachable, open to God’s correction and guidance.
Often that guidance comes through other people.
Sometimes it even comes through the most surprising voices.
So don’t become overly focused on measuring your own spiritual maturity—or anyone else’s.
Instead, let’s keep doing the simplest and most important thing:
Follow Jesus.
And encourage one another—again and again—to do the same.
Because in the end, the true measure of a mature faith is simply a life that keeps turning toward Jesus.
With you,
~ Coach Tom
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P.S. ... If you are stalled in life, or particularly if you are in transition, here are three ways I can help you Get Clear, Get Focused and Be Fruitful!
1. Grab a Free Copy of my "4 Key Steps to Clarity and Fruitfulness" Document. It's a Blueprint to help you move ahead. Click Here
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