What, then, is spiritual maturity all about? Certainly it is not an automatic process which occurs by the mere passage of time. There is definite activity involved. We have to press on with moral endeavour. Maturity in Christ is not merely a mental comprehension of spiritual things, nop is it the ability to do some typ£ of spiritual work or ser vice. It i$ primarily concerned with our attitudes toward the Saviour as wejf as toward our fellow man. We ijhust have the ability to meet the/ demands and emergencies of everyday life in a depth of spiri- ty/al understanding. While our Lord -'commended a child-like spirit He nowhere encouraged a childish at titude toward life situations. There fore, the spiritually mature believ er is one who is able to function happily in any possible circum stance of life. As an example, consider the fact that when sorrow strikes, the immature believer is inclined to indulge in an orgy of self-centered emotion. If financial reverses come, he is always at a loss to know why it should happen to him. As a rule, such an individual begins to blame God. When the adversary overtakes him, he is swallowed up in a realm of self- pity. In domestic difficulties he al ways indulges in tantrums or will sulk. This is why one true measure of our spiritual maturity (or lack of it) is seen in the manner in which we react to the changing circum stances of life. It should be noted that spiritual maturity does not come to anyone naturally. It has to be tested and learned in the crucible of life. We read of our Saviour that "Though he were a Son, yet learned he
obedience by the things which he suffered; and being made perfect (spiritually mature as a Man), he became the author of eternal sal vation unto all them that obey him" (Hebrews 5:8, 9). No wonder Paul's consuming goal was, "That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, being made con formable unto his death." The pur pose for which we were converted was not only to be taken to heaven but also that we might become spiritually mature in Christ here and now. The identifying marks of such an individual are seen in his earnest desire to be more like Christ. He has purposed to be holy rather than happy. We all know that a child is far more interested in being happy than he is in being good or obedient. The Saviour was happier than any of the individuals who lived in His own day because He loved righteousness and He hated sin (Hebrews 1:9). A second mark of one who is mature is that he will always give rather than receive. He is not al ways seeking to be "Number One". Many of us, like children, have to be taught the joy of giving. These are just two of the important and significant marks of spiritual ma turity. It is clearly discernible from Phi- lippians 3:10-12 that Paul's con suming goal in life was to continue becoming more like Christ. The Saviour set the perfect standard for everything we, as believers in Christ, ought to do and be. He makes maturity possible through the indwelling presence of God's Holy Spirit. Our Lord set this ex ample of spiritual maturity by giv ing Himself. He testified, "The Son of man came not to be ministered
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