A spiritually mature Christian was characterized in this manner: Someone who produces more than they consume! Of course it is with the understanding they produce more fruit etc., than they consume from the Body of Christ. One cannot out-produce God. The Lord produces in us springs of living water so it will flow out of our inner most being.
Most Christians, I hope, are in some process of maturing. I do not mean by this that one is simply getting older. There are those, unfortunately, that are faithful to attend church along with various religious obligations, but are not, themselves, growing spiritually and in the knowledge of God's Word.
The Apostle Paul is writing to Titus regarding church order. In chapter 2:1-8 we read:
"You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine. Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love, and in endurance. Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you might be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us." N. I. V.
BUT speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discrete, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you." K. J. V.*
There is an historical aspect to consider when reading the above. In Bible days, more often than not, the bride and groom did not meet each other until the day of the wedding. Therefore, Paul addresses the need for the 'elder' or 'aged' men and women to disciple-if you will-those much younger in order that the Word of God is not evil spoken of.
If we read the list Paul gives to Titus, it is easy to see that virtually every one of his admonitions has to do with relationships or behavior. How we conduct ourselves in public, at home, or in church. As one person put it, these are relational truths. There are also positional truths that I will address at a later time.
(1) Sound Doctrine: {Sound [Strongs 5198]: Metaphorically of persons, to be sound in the faith, meaning firm, pure in respect to Christian doctrine and life. Doctrine {Strongs 1319}: In the early church preaching was distinguished from teaching, although in certain instances they were often combined. Preaching was primarily the proclamation of the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ, whereas teaching was the systematic instruction in the details of Christian truth and duty which followed the summons to repentance and saving faith.
(2) Temperate (Sober): {Strongs 3524}: … that state of mind which is free from the excessive influence of passion, lust or emotion. Sober-minded.
(3) Worthy of Respect (Grave): {Strongs 4586}: Venerable, reverend, reputable, dignified. (This word) represents not only earthly dignity …, but that which is derived from a higher citizenship, a heavenly one, which is the possession of all believers. There lies something of majestic and awe-inspiring qualities in (this word) which does not repel but rather invites and attracts cf. Philippians 4:8.
(4) Self-controlled (Temperate): {Strongs 4998}: Discreet, sober, temperate, of a sound mind …; self-disciplined in one's freedom, self-restrained in all passions and desires.
(5) Sound in Faith: {Strongs 4102}: Subjectively meaning firm persuasion, conviction, belief in the truth, veracity, reality or faithfulness (though rare). Objectively meaning that which is believed, doctrine, the received articles of faith. In Hebrews 11:1 "…," means that persuasion is not the outcome of imagination but is based on fact, such as the reality of the resurrection of Christ (1 Cor. 15), and as such it becomes the basis of realistic hope.
(6) (Sound) in Love (Charity): {Strongs 25}: To esteem, love, indicating a direction of the will and finding one's joy in something or someone. It differs from philéo (5386), to love, indicating feelings, warm affection, the kind of love expressed by a kiss.
(7) (Sound) in Endurance (Patience): {Strongs 420}: Patient, describing one who bears evil, sorrow, ill. Syn: Tolerant. This stresses the positive attitude ….
(8) Show Integrity (Uncorruptness): {Strongs 90}: Incorruptibility, integrity, freedom from corruptible mixtures or adulterations. Titus was advised not to mix in his teaching (didaskalía 1319) anything that would in any way deprive Christian teaching of its eternal value and cause it to be relegated to second place.
(9) Seriousness (Gravity): {Strongs 4587}: It is the ability not only to perform well one's duties as a citizen, but also to adhere to the highest principles and ideals of earth and heaven, and thus drawing respect and approval.
(10) Soundness of Speech (Sincerity): {Strongs 861}: Paul says to Titus that he should present teaching that is completely and utterly incorruptible, which is impossible to change and degenerate. It is evident that here we have the metaphorical use of the word. The Majority Text also adds apphtharsía, which means incorruptibility. The difference between adiaphthoría and aphtharsía is that the first indicates that it is constitutionally impossible to change the teaching of Christ and still have it produce the same results as the pure doctrine of the gospel, whereas the second refers to constitutional incorruptibility and that no matter what people do, they cannot change the doctrine of Christ.
There is a process of discipleship that carries with it the maturity factor I referred to in the previous message. 2 Timothy 2:2, "And the things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, these entrust to faithful men (mature in doctrine, faith, love, etc.), who will be able to teach others also." N. A. S. B.
The doctrine or teaching Paul refers to was validated in the presence of many witnesses. Something seldom done in churches today. This principle of validation is also found in Acts 17:11. The Bereans are said to be of more noble character because they, 1) had the scriptures available to use and, 2) all that Paul taught was verified to be true, according to scripture, by those of spiritual maturity. It was more than determining that Paul had quoted scripture correctly. They understood what he taught was truth and that truth had meaning and application for their life as well. Paul wasn't just passing on information, but enabling them to grow spiritually. That Christ was being formed in them (See Galatians 4:19), and they were being conformed to the image of God's Son. See Romans 8:29.)
If all we do is pass on information, make people feel good, and assure them they will go to heaven when they die, then a disservice is done to God, to those desiring the sincere milk and meat of the Word, and ourselves.
In Part III, we will look at some ways in which Christians are relegated to spectator status, rather than being trained up from their youth, to take their place-in time-as the elder (aged) men and women. That's The Way I See It. Should you see it differently, I hope that your conviction is based solidly on God's Word.
