Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature. (1 Corinthians 14:20)

…(R)ooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. (Colossians 2:7)

Maturity in Christ is not any more an option than physical maturity is for a human being. Providing life continues, a baby grows and will eventually mature into an adult. Thus, a new convert is a spiritual baby that will eventually mature into a full grown Christian who looks like his elder brother, the Lord Jesus Christ. If physical maturity does not occur or does not occur at a normal rate—although there is no growth chart stating how spiritually mature you should be by a certain time—then we know there is a problem.

How then do we mature spiritually? If a child is provided the right conditions, his genetic ability to grow will be free to perform. Nurture and nutrition will give the young child fuel for growth. What are the right conditions or ingredients for spiritual growth? We know that within every true Christian there is the spiritual DNA that gives ability to grow. But what does it need, if anything, to grow?

We must not think, “Now that I’m a Christian, God’s grace will make me grow, leaving nothing for me to do. It will happen automatically.” Those who do not emphasize the sovereignty of God usually do not have a problem thinking this way. They often put too much emphasis on what they do. But we who do love, cherish and depend on God’s sovereign rule in our lives must never make the mistake of thinking we bring nothing to the maturation process.