Faith in God is different than Maturing in the faith

As scripture says, having a just a mustard seed of sincere faith in Jesus and what He did on the cross to justify us and save us from our sin, is pleasing to God. However, growing and maturing in the fruits of the spirit is not exactly the same thing as having faith. Although, faith and maturity are tightly intertwined, I’ve been thinking of them separately for the sake of pondering more deeply on the idea of faith alone versus the idea of maturity alone.

I realize that faith and maturity are two different things to grow in. Just because someone has a mustard seed of faith or more, doesn’t mean they are mature and it doesn’t mean they will always have a lot of fruit. For an example, I remember when I was a new believer, I would read through the Bible learning of all the amazing acts that God did. I was amazed at the power and the control He had over all His creation — from the locusts and flies, to the rising of the flood waters and turning it to blood — with child-like faith, I believed that God was able to do whatever impossibilities He pleased. It takes faith to believe God is able to create and control all the elements of the universe. It takes faith to believe that God can personally guide you and transform you from the inside out to make you into a new creation.

As a baby Christian, I believed God at whatever His word said. Although I believed Him at his Word, it didn’t mean that I was very mature in the general Christian faith or Christian character. My faith was not evidence that I had a lot good fruit at the time.

I remember one of the first big challenges to developing my character as a Christian.  This challenge felt absolutely impossible for me to endure through. For about a year on a daily basis, I felt so much shame around my personality that I could easily be brought to tears. The only way through the day was to preserve and abide in God through prayer. During this challenging time of my faith, in my journal I wrote, “I told God how I didn’t want to do this anymore and that this Christian walk is SO hard.  I don’t know if I have ever felt more discouraged in my faith-walk until this moment.  I thought we have come so far, but now it’s all falling apart before my tearful eyes. I didn’t feel like God was on my side either.  I saw Exodus 14:14 which says, ‘you need only to be still, the Lord will fight for you.’  I did not think God was fighting for me at all.  For some reason I also thought God was against me too.” 

James 1:2-3 says, Consider it pure joy my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete not lacking anything. 

That year of my life was eye opening to me, on how challenging it is to be a genuine Christian who is fighting the good fight, to the high calling of Christ. My circumstances made me feel as if I was always in the hot seat, being tested by fire in order to reveal some shortcomings about myself.  These shortcomings are smaller and deeply embedded sins that are uniquely within all people.  I like to call these small sin-areas, the nooks and crannies of my heart.  It’s the small places of my heart where sin hides, but you aren’t aware  of it until God personally convicts you. I know God used this unique circumstance to refine me and to also prove the genuineness of my faith (1 Peter 1:7). During that season, I had many raw, honest, and scrambled thoughts and emotions, but at the end of each wearisome day, I felt the scripture John 6:68 in the core of my being, which says, Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words of eternal life. I knew that no matter how hard it might be to do what pleases God, He will always be worth it. Every difficulty that we face on this earth, are only light and momentary struggles. 

During this early season of my Christian journey, I realized that the upward call to be like Christ, never stops. Growing in the perfection of Jesus is a lifetime journey. It’s a marathon that never ends. By your willingness to exercise His commands, and by the grace of God He sanctifies you, and thus you continue to grow good fruit. And beyond that, God prunes off the rotten fruit. Sometimes the pruning off of the rotten fruit will leave you with a sore heart that brings you low. But just like muscles heal and grow, so does spiritual growth. 

Having faith that God is near and faith that He will help me, has encouraged me to persevere when circumstances are tough or when I’m struggling to do the right and godly thing. Perseverance has led to deeper intimacy with God, more sanctification, and thus maturity. Without persevering in faith, you can’t mature in the faith. And not just faith that God will do amazing miracles in your life, but faith that He can and will do deep heart work as you keep stepping forward into doing the righteous things. Similar to fruit growing on a tree, maturity takes time. It’s not something that just appears over night. Maturity takes having faith and perseverance time and time again.

Mature Christian Community

Throughout the last couple years, I’ve been so encouraged by a few other mature Christians. I’ve found them refreshing by their balanced views on various subjects, their thought processes, their perspective in light of scripture that has evolved throughout experience, and their humility when discussing disputable matters. Over the time of many years, I’ve found them deeply inspiring as I’ve seen them transform more into the character of Jesus.  By being in their presence I’ve noticed their maturity grows as they grow in more fruits of the spirit.  Through their life, what I learned is that, a mature Christian loves those who are hard to love; is able to find joy and peace in the midst of difficult circumstances;  can maintain self-control with their words or emotions; exemplify kindness and patience with difficult people or circumstances. They are a bright and shining light in this dark world because the fruits of the spirit are playing out practically, as they live out their day-to-day life. 

I have felt so inspired observing the growth of the fruits of the spirit in others, because it has refreshed my faith in what God can do in my Christian journey as He develops my character.  By faith I believe He will finish the good work that He has begun in me. 

• Related Posts: Maturing in Your Faith , The Growth Journey of a Maturing Christian

Scriptures

So that the proven character of your faith-more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire-may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 
1 Peter 1:7

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people,

Ephesians 1:18

Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.
Proverbs 28:13 ESV

My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold, and my yield than choice silver.
Proverbs 8:19