Spiritual Maturity

Not everybody who grows old, grows up. There is a vast difference between age and maturity. Ideally, the older we are, the more mature we should be; but too often the ideal does not become the real. The result is problems - problems in personal lives, in homes, and in Churches. If Christians would just grow up, they would become victors instead of victims.

The Epistle of James was written to help us understand and attain spiritual maturity - "... that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing" (James 1:4, NKJV).

I believe the best way to launch a study of the Epistle of James is to answer four important questions: "Who was James"? "To whom did James write"? "Why did James write"? and, "How can we get the most out of this study"? Let us consider each one of these questions.

Who was James?

There were several men who bore the name of "James" in New Testament history:

1. James, the son of Zebedee and brother of John (Matt. 4:21).

2. James, the son of Alphaeus (Matt. 10:3).

3. James, the father of Judas (not Judas Iscariot), the disciple (Luke 6:16).



4. James, the brother of the Lord (Mark 6:3). He seems to be the most likely candidate for author of this Epistel. He does not identify himself in this way; humbly, he calls himself. "A bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,...." (James 1:1).

James and the other brothers did not believe in Jesus during His earthly ministry (John 7:1 - 5 and Mark 3:31 - 35). Yet we find our Lord's brethren in the upper room praying with the disciples (Acts 1:14). What effected the change from unbelief to faith? 1 Cor. 15:7 indicates that Jesus appeared to James after His resurrection! This convinced James that Jesus truly was the Savior, and he, in turn shared this knowledge about Jesus to the other brothers.

James became the leader of the Church in Jerusalem. Paul called him "a pillor," in Gal. 2:9. It was James who moderated the church conference described in Acts 15.


To whom did James write?

"... To the twelve tribes which scattered abroad" (James 1:1). James wrote to the Jews living outside the land of Palestine. The term "twelve tribes" can only mean the people of Israel, the Jewish nation (Acts 26:7). The fact that many Jews lived outside their Promised Land is evidence of the spiritual decline of the nation. God had to scatter them (Deut. 4:27). When Peter addressed that huge Jewish congregation at Pentecost, he spoke to men from many different nations (Acts 2:9 - 11).

James sent his Epistle to Christian Jews. At least 19 times he addressed them as "brethren," indicating not only "brothers in the flesh" (fellow Jews), but also "brothers in the Lord." James was very clear on the doctrine of the new birth (James 1:18). There are times when James also addressed wicked men who were not in the fellowship (the rich, for examples - James 5:1 - 6); but he did so in order to teach and encourage the saved Jews to whom he sent the Epistle.

Why did James write?

Each New Testament Epistle has its own special theme, purpose, and destination. Paul wrote the Book of Romans to prepare the Roman Christians for his intended visit. 1 Corinthians was sent to the Church in Corinth to help correct certain problems. Galatians was written to a group of Churches to warn them against legalism and false teaching.

As you read the Epistle of James, you discover that these Jewish Christians were having some problems in their personal lives and in their Church fellowship. For one thing, they were going through difficult testings. They were also facing temptations to sin. Some of the believers were catering to the rich, while others were being robbed by the rich. Church members were competing for offices in the Church, particularly teaching offices.

One of the major problems in the Church was a failure on the part of many to live what they professed to believe. Furthermore, the tongue was a serious problem, even to the point of creating wars and divisions in the assembly. Worldliness was another problem. Some of the members were disobeying God's Word and were sick physically because of it, and some were straying away from the Lord and the Church.

As we review the list of problems, does it appear to be much different from the problems that beset the average Local Church today? Do we not have in our Churches people who are suffering for one reason or another? Do we not having members who talk one way, but walk another way? Is not worldliness a serious problem? Are there not Christians who cannot control their tongues? It seems that James is dealing with very up-to-date matters!

But James was not discussing an array of miscellaneous problems. All of these problems had a common cause - spiritual immaturity. These Christians simply were not growing up. This gives us a hint as to the basic theme of the Epistle - The marks of maturity in the Christian life.

James used the word "perfect" several times - a word that means "mature, complete" (read James 1:4, 17, 25; 2:22; 3:2). By "a perfect man" (James 3:2) James did not mean a sinless man, but rather one who is mature, balanced, grown-up.

Spiritual maturity is one of the greatest needs in Churches today. Too many Churches are playpens for babies instead of workshops for adults. The members are not mature enough to eat the solid spiritual food that they need, so they have to be fed on milk (Heb. 5:11 - 14). Just look at the problems James dealt with and you can see that each of them is characteristic of little children:

1. Impatience in difficulties (1:1 - 4).

2. Talking but not living the truth (2:14 ...).

3. No control of the tongue (3:1 ...).

4. Fighting and coveting (4:1 ...).

5. Collecting material "toys." (5:1 ...).

In my opinion, spiritual immaturity is the number one problem in our Churches today. God is looking for mature men and women to carry on His work, and sometimes all He can find are little children who cannot even get along with each other!

Marks of the mature Christians:

The five chapters of the Epistle of James suggest the five marks of the mature Christian:

1. A mature Christian is patient in testing (Chapter 1).

2. A mature Christian practices the truth (Chapter 2).

3. A mature Christian has power over the tongue (Chapter 3).

4. A mature Christian is a peacemaker, not a troublemaker (Chapter 4).

5. A mature Christian is prayerful in troubles (Chapter 5).

Similarity between Epistle of James and Epistle to the Hebrews

The Epistle of James logically follows the Epistle to the Hebrews, for one of the major themes of Hebrews is - spiritual perfection. The word "perfect" is found in Hebrews at least 14 times.

The key verse of Hebrews is - "Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, ..." (Heb 6:1, emphasis added).

The word "perfection" means "spiritual maturity." The writer of Hebrews explained the perfect salvation to be had in Christ. James exhorted his readers to build on this perfect salvation and grow into maturity. Without the perfect work of Christ there could be no perfecting of the believers (saints).


How can we get the most out of this Study?


Since the theme is spiritual maturity, we must begin by examining our own hearts to see where we are in the Christian life. A careful study of the Epistle of James reveals four essentials in leading a satisfying Christian life which lead to spiritual maturity.


1. The first essential


First of all, it is essential that we have been born again. Apart from spiritual birth there can be no spiritual maturity. James mentioned the new birth early in his Epistle: "Of His (God) own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures" (James 1:18).


The parallel to this is found in 1 Peter: "... having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever" (1 Peter 1:23).


Just as a human baby has two parents, so a spiritual baby has two parents - the Word of God and the Spirit of God.


John said, "In the beginning was the Word, and Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1, emphasis added).


Jesus said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of Spirit is spirit" (John 3:5, 6, emphasis added).


Notice that the word, "Spirit" refers to the Holy Spirit. "Born of water" here refers to physical birth. All babies are "born of water." No one is saved (enter the Kingdom of God) by being born of water alone. In order to enter the Kingdom of God, on needs to born of the Holy Spirit also.


The Spirit of God takes the Word of God and generates new life within the heart of the sinner who believes on Jesus Christ. The Spirit uses the Word to convict the sinner, and then to reveal to him the Savior. We are saved by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8, 9) and faith comes from hearing the Word of God (Rom. 10:17). The process of the born-again experience is a miracle.


2. The second essential


We must honestly examine our lives in the light of God's Word. James compares the Bible to a mirror (James 1:22 - 25). As we study the Word, we are looking into the divine mirror and seeing ourselves as we really are. But James warns us that we must be honest about what we see and not merely glance at the image and walk away.


3. The third essential


We must obey what God teaches us, no matter what the cost. We must be "doers of the word, and not hearers only" (James 1:22). It is easy to attend a Bible study, share the lesson, and discuss it; but it is much more difficult to go out into life in the workaday world and practice what we have learned. The blessing does not come in studying the Word, but in doing the Word. Unless we are willing to obey, the Lord is not obligated to teach us (John 7:17).


4. The forth essential


We must be prepared for some extra trials and testings. Whenever we are serious about spiritual growth, the Enemy gets serious about opposing us. Perhaps you feel a need for more patience. Then be prepared for more trials, because "tribulation worketh patience" (Rom. 5:3, KJV). The real examinations in Bible study come in the school of life, and not in the classroom!


I read recently about a man who was burdened to grow in his patience. He knew he was immature in that area of his life, and he wanted to grow up. He sincerely prayed, "Lord, help me to grow in patience. I want to have more self-control in this area of my life." That morning, he missed his train to work and spent the next 50 minutes pacing the platform and complaining of his plight. As the next train to the city arrived, the man realized how stupid he had been. He said to himself, "The Lord gave me nearly an hour to grow in my patience, and all I did was practice my impatience!"


Let us be reminded that "patience" or "longsuffering" is the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22, 23) and fruit needs time to grow.


Growing into spiritual maturity


Even physical maturity is not always an easy, pleasant experience. The teenager walking that difficult bridge from childhood to adulthood has his frustrations and failures, but if he keeps on going (and growing), he eventually enter a wonderful life of maturity. Christian growth is not automatic, as is physical growth. Christian maturity is something we must work at constantly. So, don't give up! There is travail in birth, and there is also travail in muturity (Gal 4:19).


Finally, we must measure our spiritual growth by the Word of God. We should not measure ourselves by other Christians, but by the Word of God and the Son of God (Eph. 4:13).


Not everyone who grows old, grows up. There is a difference between age and maturity. Just because a Christian has been saved for 10 or 20 years does not guarantee that he is mature in the Lord. Mature Christians are joyful Christians, useful Christians who help to encourage others and to build their Local Church.