The Marks of a Mature Christian
Discover what true Christian maturity looks like through the transformative truths of Philippians 3. This journey explores how genuine spiritual growth is marked not by religious performance, but by a deepening faith in Christ alone.
Saved by Grace Through Faith
Before examining maturity, we must first anchor ourselves in the foundation of our salvation. Ephesians 2:4-10 reminds us that God, being rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in trespasses.
By grace we have been saved through faith—not of our own doing, but as the gift of God. Not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."
What Defines Christian Maturity?
When we think about maturity, we often consider physical development or emotional stability. But what about spiritual maturity? Is it measured by years of faith, Bible reading streaks, or church service hours?
Not Time-Based
30 years as a Christian doesn't automatically equal maturity
Not Activity-Based
Church attendance and service don't guarantee spiritual growth
Not Performance-Based
Reading through the Bible multiple times isn't the measure
Philippians 3:15 reveals the key: "Let those of us who are mature think this way." Christian maturity is fundamentally about how we think—our mindset, our perspective, our understanding of who we are in Christ.
Paul's Warning: Look Out for False Teaching
In Philippians 3:2-3, Paul issues a stark warning to the church: "Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh." He's warning against the Judaizers—teachers who claimed circumcision and law-keeping were necessary for salvation.
The False Gospel
External acts make you right with God. Your works earn His acceptance. Religious performance secures salvation.
The True Gospel
We are "the circumcision" who worship by the Spirit. We glory in Christ Jesus. We put no confidence in the flesh.
Today's Application: Confidence in the flesh means believing our good deeds—church attendance, giving, Bible reading—will make us right with God or cause Him to love us more. This is the very mindset Paul warns against.
Mark #1: Relinquishing All Self-Righteousness
If anyone could claim righteousness through works, it was Paul. His credentials were impeccable: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews, a Pharisee, zealous persecutor of the church, blameless according to the law.
Yet Paul's response to all his religious achievements? "Whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord" (Philippians 3:7-8).
Born on Church Steps
Religious heritage and upbringing
Awana Awards
Achievement and recognition
Seminary Degrees
Theological education and credentials
Church Leadership
Ministry position and influence
Paul counted all of this as rubbish—garbage—compared to knowing Christ. The mature Christian relinquishes all self-righteousness and clings to Christ alone.
Mark #2: Righteousness Through Christ Alone
"For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith."— Philippians 3:8-9
The mature Christian believes their righteousness comes through Christ alone. This means your regular wrestling with sin doesn't remove your right standing with God. Your doubts and fears don't limit your access to the Father. You don't have to carry the shame and guilt of your past because it has truly been dealt with.
The Truth We Believe
Every Christian believes righteousness comes through Christ alone—it's central to the Gospel.
The Struggle We Face
We wrestle with the implications, doubting our salvation based on our performance rather than Christ's finished work.
The Danger of Feelings as the New Judaizers
In our day and age, feelings have become like the circumcision requirement of Paul's time. "If you don't feel like a Christian, you're probably not a Christian." This is a false dichotomy because we walk by faith in what is true, not by undefined feelings.
We Trust the Eternal Word
God's Word declares Jesus finished it on the cross—in Him we have all life
Not Our Fluctuating Emotions
Feelings change daily, but God's truth remains constant and sure
Faith Over Feeling
Christian maturity means clinging to Christ regardless of how we feel
God's love for you is not dependent on how well you're doing in your walk with Him. There is no greater love He can show than what has already been given in Christ.
Mark #3: Motivated by the World to Come
Paul declares in Philippians 3:13-14: "Forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." The mature Christian is primarily motivated by the world to come.
1
Forget What's Behind
Self-righteous acts, sinful pursuits, wrongly motivated plans
2
Press Toward the Goal
Fullness of unity with Christ in His resurrection
3
Await Glorification
Ultimate transformation when Christ returns
The Earthbound Mindset
Their end is destruction. Their god is their belly. They glory in their shame with minds set on earthly things (Philippians 3:19).
The Heavenly Mindset
Our citizenship is in heaven. We await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like His glorious body (Philippians 3:20-21).
The Journey of Christian Maturity
Paul hadn't arrived yet—and neither have we. "Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own" (Philippians 3:12).
"I press on to make it my own because Christ has already made me his own."
This is glorious truth: we are pursuing that which we already have. Let that free you. We're not earning our position; we're living into our identity.
01
Find Examples in the Body
Learn from mature believers. Join in imitating them. Keep your eyes on those who walk according to godly examples.
02
Stand Firm in the Lord
Persevere in God, casting off self-righteousness, clinging to Christ's righteousness, focused on what is to come.
How Faith Transforms Our Disciplines
When we truly believe these truths about Christian maturity, it transforms how we engage spiritual disciplines—not as means to earn God's favor, but as expressions of our love for Him.
Bible Reading
Not to gain brownie points with God, but because we long to know Him more—to understand this God who loves us and gave Himself for us.
Prayer
Not to make God love us more, but because we honestly believe He hears us and has the power to respond to our prayers, fears, doubts, and needs.
Generous Giving
Not to secure a better house in heaven, but because the things of this world matter far less than things of eternal consequence.
Passionate Service
Not to earn status as a good person, but because we have tasted the goodness of God and desire to share that with others.
A key mark of Christian maturity is a growing, deepening, abiding faith in God through Christ. We honestly believe what the Word says about us, what God says about Himself, and what the Bible says about our new life in Christ. May this truth bring freedom to your walk with Christ so you can actually enjoy the goodness of God rather than being burdened by crushing necessity.
"We are saved by grace through faith in Christ alone. It is not by our striving that we are saved. It is not by our good works that we retain our status with God. God has given fully of Himself to us in Christ out of an unending love."