I have noticed judgmental tones in the body of Christ suggesting if someone is not discerning, they are not mature in the Lord; if they do not prophesy, they are lacking maturity in Christ. Yet, the Bible says, “There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all” (1 Corinthians 12:4-7). When did the measure of Christian maturity become walking in all of the gifts of the Spirit – at will?
The manifestations of the Spirit are given to each one. Paul, the writer of this letter to the Corinthian church, continued his thoughts: to one is given this to another that as he goes through a list of Holy Spirit-given manifestations (1 Corinthians 12:8-10). Nowhere in this text does Paul associate Christian maturity with the dispensation of any gift. What he does say is these gifts are manifested for the “profit of all” (1 Corinthians 12:7). It seems more likely a willing vessel in the right place and time will be chosen to manifest the gift not the mature Christian who thinks they have earned the right to walk in all Holy Spirit gifts at all times. Beware of this person; they will be a danger to themselves and others.
It seems there is some confusion between gifts of the Spirit, fruit of the Spirit, and the character of one who walks in the Spirit. There is a lovely list of gifts manifested by choice of the Holy Spirit and teachings on how to administer/walk in those gifts in 1 Corinthians Chapters 12 through 14. The best thing to notice here is the chapter in the middle, the love chapter. One must minister in the gifts according to the very heart of God, which is love (1 John 4:16).
Walking in gifts is not a pat on the back to anyone. Gifts are manifested for the benefit of “all”. These are not signs of achievement but of God’s grace to use us for the benefit of others. He does not share His glory with anyone, but He does share His mission and ministry (Isaiah 48:11; John 5:23; Mark 16:15-18). Paul’s last line in the chapter sandwiched between two chapters about Holy Spirit gifts manifesting is this, “And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthian 13:13). Love is central. Love is eternal.
The marks of maturity are instead revealed in the character of the person who follows Jesus and walks in the Spirit. Paul again helps us identify the inner workings of the Holy Spirit in his letter to the Galatian church. He lists for us the fruit of the Spirit. Notice it is not plural – fruits – but it is singular. This list is the fruit of cultivating an intimate walk with Jesus through the Holy Spirit. These are the marks of a mature Christian: “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23). Love leads this list while it finished the last list. Love is the beginning and the end (or eternity) of walking with Jesus.
Paul says, “Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16). These character traits reveal one who has learned to live and walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:25). Yes, we will not achieve perfection. We will struggle with our sin nature as long as we walk on this earth. However, as we continue to pursue Christ and give more of ourselves away for the good of the kingdom, the more consistently we will walk in these beautiful character traits. We will stumble in these less often and we will be visual witnesses for Christ as we continue to walk in His Spirit.
Peter also wrote to us about Christian character and maturity. His list reads like a progression of maturity as we learn to walk with Christ. He tells us we have been given promises through which we may be partakers of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4). This is what it is to grow in Jesus’ likeness. He tells us to “[give] all diligence” in pursuing these character traits which bring us into maturity in Christ. We begin with faith and then we add virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and finally his list is fulfilled with brotherly love (2 Peter 1:5-7). The promise Peter leaves for those who are diligent to add these things to their Christian walk is this, “you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:8) This is beautiful. As we seek Jesus, we grow in these character traits and the reward of growing in these traits is to know Jesus more. He truly is the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).
Brotherly love encourages gifts in others but does not shame those who do not walk in all gifts. Brotherly love does not compare gifts to shame others or self. Brotherly love “gives preference to one another” (Romans 12:10). “Brotherly love is taught by God” (1 Thessalonians 4:9). The writer of Hebrews encourages us to “let brotherly love continue” then gives a list of selfless and self-sacrificing acts of love.
We measure Christlikeness by love not by gifts. We measure our walk with the Spirit by the fruit not the manifestations. When we prioritize our lives aright, then we will see these gifts and manifestations follow. When we walk by the Spirit, we will be about kingdom business and about glorifying Jesus. We will seek no glory of our own. We will walk in freedom and judge not those who have not yet found the same measure of glory. Instead, when we walk in brotherly love, we will make room for them to grow in their walk, at their pace with Jesus.
“For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love” (1Corinthians 13:12-13). God is about to move in and through His Church. A fresh wind and a fresh fire are coming on His saints. In this time of isolating, He has given us a chance to reboot and recalibrate. He has removed the distractions of life and life in the church. He has set aside programs, so we could get back to walking in His Spirit instead of keeping things running. He has removed the burdens so we could remember the freedom and joy of walking in His Spirit.
He invites you to walk in the Spirit as Jesus intended. He was sent to help us and He helps us by manifesting gifts in and through us for the benefit others. He guides us into all truth (John 16:13). As we walk in the Spirit and seek Jesus through His Word and in our obedience to Him, we find maturity comes and we begin to love like Jesus.
“Therefore, be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma” (Ephesians 5:1-2).