“Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And God permitting, we will do so.” (Heb. 6:1-3)
Since Feb. 22nd I’ve been writing about the basics — the “elementary teachings” that St. Paul talked about in Hebrews 6. So let’s move on. What does Christian maturity look like? I asked my wife and her response was “fruitful.” As mature Christians, we should “bear fruit.” (I guess it doesn’t look like retired men playing golf in a gated community?)
Does that mean we’re supposed to be a fruit tree, standing around, doing nothing but letting fruit hang from us? Sounds pretty boring. Rain or shine, going through an annual cycle: Spring flowers turn into fruit; the fruit grows and matures until it’s harvested in the fall; pruning in the winter; and then the process starts all over again.
That’s not what I want my life to look like. And based on the drama throughout the Bible, God didn’t intend for us to live a boring life as a tree. Don’t get me wrong. I know He’s serious about our producing fruit. But I believe His intentions are for us to be farmers who produce much more than what one tree could… In the Garden of Eden He told Adam to be fruitful and multiply — to take dominion over His creation. So what does a mature, fruit-bearing Christian farmer look like?
Bountiful Harvest
The life of a Christian farmer will produce various kinds of fruit. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.” (Gal. 5:22-26)
When we kill our sinful habits and live by the Spirit, we become winsome, like Christ, and attract others to the Father. When we’re filled with peace and joy, and demonstrate kindness, goodness and patience toward others, we’re loving them. When we’re faithful, gentle, forgiving, and exercising self control, we’re loving others. This is how mature Christians “keep in step” with the Holy Spirit.
In addition, those who are successful in ministry should not be conceited. And those who are not as effective as they would like to be, should not put down or envy those who have a thriving ministry. Here’s what Timothy heard from his mentor:
Teach and Endure
“You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs — he wants to please his commanding officer. Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor’s crown unless he competes according to the rules. The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.” (II Tim. 2:1-7)
The purpose for all this fruit-bearing is to bless others — those who need love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and mercy. This includes believers and non-believers. As Christian farmers, we need to be sure we prune ourselves and those we mentor so that the fruit is low-hanging and accessible. When we do, others will flock to us like they did Jesus.
Farm Equipment
Farmers need seed, of course, to produce fruit-bearing plants. Our seed is the Word of God. Without the Word, we will not produce spiritual fruit. And just as a farmer needs a tractor, fertilizer, insecticide, and harvesters, we need spiritual tools to produce an abundant harvest. Thankfully, God provides our tools as gifts when we ask for and seek them:
“And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tonguesF3? Do all interpret? But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way.” (I Cor. 12:28-31)
Miracle Grow
Our miracle fertilizer is love, empowered by God. “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.” (I Cor. 13:1-3)
“Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. … Now I wish that you all spoke in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy; and greater is one who prophesies than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive edifying. … Brethren, do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature. Therefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak in tongues. But all things must be done properly and in an orderly manner.” (I Cor. 14:1,5,20,39-40)
Mature Mentors
As we walk in the Spirit, fully equipped and winsome, He showers His gifts and talents on us so we can impart them to others to help them mature. As St. Paul said, “It was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” (Eph. 4:11-13)
