Spiritual maturity is not measured by age.

1. Maturity is measured by our dependency on God.
The mature disciple exhibits the marks of maturity when he realizes he has a long way to go yet, for the ultimate goal is to be like the Master and He needs to depend on God!

Jesus said, “Abide in me, and I will abide in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abides in the vine; no more can you, except you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He that abides in me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit: for without me you can do nothing” (John 15:4-5).

2. Maturity is measured a person’s obedience to the will of God.
Here is often the most distinctive mark of the mature disciple: he knows the way, he shows the way and he leads the way and he has a goal! So much a part of his life is this goal that it will be evident to all because he desires it so strongly.

1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual[a] act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12: 1,2)

3. Maturity is measured by his wisdom.
Knowing the strength of the people and being able to put the right people at the right place based on their strength not on their weaknesses.

And not only does he have a goal, everyone else knows it, too! He brings others with him. He knows he cannot do it alone and rallies everyone to join him.

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work:
If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls
and has no one to help him up! (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10)

4. Maturity is measured by persevering faith.
The mature disciple presses on toward the goal, and will let nothing stand in the way — not even the many afflictions which may come his way. To him, they are nothing but a “light affliction, which is but for a moment” and so he does “not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen” (II Corinthians 4:17-18).

Chinkee Tan is a life coach, a sough after motivational speaker, and an elder of Victory Greenhills. He helped plant Victory Greenhills in 2007 serving as our discipleship pastor till 2008, and has continually stand with our pastors to Honor God and Make Disciples in San Juan. Visit his site here