I’m beginning to think that we (Christians in general) may not be speaking of or understanding ”maturity” in the same sense that Paul did. We reflexively think in terms of individual maturation whereas it looks to me that Paul was speaking in terms of congregational body maturity. The classic passage in Eph. 4 is a good example …
… to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 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.
Notice what and to whom the gifts to the church are for; 1. equipping people (plural), 2. that the body is built up (a body is a complex organism, not just one “member”), 3. to attain unity in faith and knowledge-– which is a functional alignment of diverse members, 4. which produces or brings into maturity and attainment of the complete stature of Christ.
This kind of maturity is more corporate/corporeal than individual. Individual maturity is still important, but doesn’t seem to be the emphasis. As individuals we usually have areas of our life which demonstrate maturity, but also aspects which show immaturity. When a group of followers of Jesus share life together the “body of life maturity” has much more potential than the sum of individual maturity.
Our over-emphasis of personal spiritual maturity is indicative of our radically individualistic culture and makes us susceptible to the Christianized “of the world” perspective of self-help, self-improvement, and the pseudo-salvation of self-satisfaction through moralistic conformity.
That is my present opinion. What do you think?
