The Call to Spiritual Maturity and Growth in Christianity
Spiritual maturity and growth in Christianity involve a transformative process aimed at conforming believers to the likeness of Christ [5]. This journey is characterized by an increasing understanding and experience of Christian faith, leading to a deeper knowledge of God's Son [5]. The Apostle Paul, in Ephesians 4:13, describes this goal as reaching "the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to a measure of the maturity of the fullness of Christ" [1]. The term "Crescens" itself means "growing" or "increasing," reflecting this ongoing process [3].
Growth in grace is a continuous process, where every divine influence received is seen as a "heavenly seed" that, if nurtured, will multiply [6]. This growth is maintained through faith, abiding in Christ, and allowing His word to abide in believers [2]. It involves feeding on Christ and obeying Him [2]. Adam Clarke emphasizes that a Christian's life is a growth, progressing from being "born of God" to becoming a "little child," then a "young man," and finally a "father in Christ" [6].
Key aspects of spiritual growth include diligence in seeking God, obeying Him, and striving for perfection [4]. Believers are called to cultivate Christian graces, guard against defilement, and make their calling and election sure [4]. Paul's prayer for the Colossians highlights the desire for believers to gain a deeper understanding of the Gospel and its full expression in their lives, leading to endurance and patience against evil [7]. This growth yields a clearer comprehension of Christian truth and conduct that pleases the Lord [7].
Spiritual maturity also involves "holding the truth" and maintaining it "in love," contrasting with error and deceit [10]. This means speaking truth in word and act, and demonstrating love in manner and spirit [10]. The goal is to grow up from a state of spiritual childhood to that of "full-grown men," becoming more incorporated with Christ [10]. John categorizes believers into different stages of maturity: children, young in faith, and mature in faith (fathers) [8]. The call to spiritual growth is a fundamental aspect of Christian life, designed to make believers not only wiser but also better [9].
Sources
- Ephesians “Ephesians 4:13 (LEB) — until we all reach the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to a measure of the maturity of the fullness of Christ,”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Union With Christ — As Head of the Church -- Eph 1:22,23; 4:15,16; Col 1:18. Christ prayed that all saints might have -- Joh 17:21,23. Described as Christ being in us. -- Eph 3:17; Col 1:27. Our being in Christ. -- 2Co 12:2; 1Jo 5:20. Includes union with the Father -- Joh 17:21; 1Jo 2:24. Is of God -- 1Co 1:30. Maintained by Faith. -- Ga 2:20; Eph 3:17. Abiding in him. -- Joh 15:4,7. His word abiding in us. -- Joh 15:7; 1Jo 2:24; 2Jo 1:9. Feeding on him. -- Joh 6:56. Obeying him. -- 1Jo 3:24. The Holy Spirit witnesses -- 1Jo 3:24. The gift of the Holy Spirit is an ev”
- Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Crescens — growing; increasing”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Diligence — Christ, an example -- Mr 1:35; Lu 2:49. Required by God in Seeking him. -- 1Ch 22:19; Heb 11:6. Obeying him. -- De 6:17; 11:13. Hearkening to him. -- Isa 55:2. Striving after perfection. -- Php 3:13,14. Cultivating Christian graces. -- 2Pe 1:5. Keeping the souls. -- De 4:9. Keeping the heart. -- Pr 4:23. Labours of love. -- Heb 6:10-12. Following every good work. -- 1Ti 5:10. Guarding against defilement. -- Heb 12:15. Seeking to be found spotless. -- 2Pe 3:14. Making our call, &c, sure. -- 2Pe 1:10. Self-examination. -- Ps 77:6. Lawful business. -- Pr 27:”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 4:13: 4:13 The goal of ministry is for the whole Christian community to understand and experience the Christian faith more deeply and gain a deeper knowledge of God’s Son. In this way, believers will be mature in the Lord (see 1 Cor 2:6; 14:20; Phil 3:15; Col 1:28; 4:12; cp. Heb 5:14; Jas 1:4; 3:2). The standard of maturity is Christ himself; the Spirit’s transforming work is to make people fully like Christ (Rom 8:29).”
- 2 Peter (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 2 Peter 3:18: But grow in grace - Increase in the image and favor of God; every grace and Divine influence which ye have received is a seed, a heavenly seed, which, if it be watered with the dew of heaven from above, will endlessly increase and multiply itself. He who continues to believe, love, and obey, will grow in grace, and continually increase in the knowledge of Jesus Christ, as his sacrifice, sanctifier, counsellor, preserver, and final Savior. The life of a Christian is a growth; he is at first born of God, and is a little child; becomes a young man, and a father in Chr”
- Colossians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Colossians 1:9: 1:9-10 Paul prays that God would grant his readers deeper understanding of the Good News and its full expression in their lives. Spiritual growth yields a clearer and deeper comprehension of Christian truth and conduct that pleases the Lord, through which a believer will have the endurance and patience to stand firm against evil (1:11).”
- 1 John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 John 2:12: 2:12-14 John gives three classes of believers at various stages of spiritual maturity: God’s children, the young in the faith (literally young people), and the mature in the faith (literally fathers).”
- 1 Peter (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 Peter 1:13: Here the apostle begins his exhortations to those whose glorious state he had before described, thereby instructing us that Christianity is a doctrine according to godliness, designed to make us not only wiser, but better. I. He exhorts them to sobriety and holiness. 1. Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, etc., Pe1 1:13. As if he had said, "Wherefore, since you are so honoured and distinguished, as above, Gird up the loins of your mind. You have a journey to go, a race to run, a warfare to accomplish, and a great work to do; as the traveller, the racer, the”
- Ephesians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ephesians 4:15: speaking the truth--Translate, "holding the truth"; "following the truth"; opposed to "error" or "deceit" (Eph 4:14). in love--"Truth" is never to be sacrificed to so-called "charity"; yet it is to be maintained in charity. Truth in word and act, love in manner and spirit, are the Christian's rule (compare Eph 4:21, Eph 4:24). grow up--from the state of "children" to that of "full-grown men." There is growth only in the spiritually alive, not in the dead. into him--so as to be more and more incorporated with Him, and become one with Him. the”