The Measure of Maturity

Our fellowship with other Christians heightens our understanding of God and helps us stay spiritually fresh. I have no doubt that my fellowship with other Christians has helped more than words can convey in keeping me spiritually alert and topped up. When for some reason I am not able to fellowship with other Christians, my spiritual life tends to sag. This is one of the laws of the Christian life, and we ignore it to our peril.

Dr. E. Stanley Jones said, “The measure of our spiritual maturity can be and is measured by the breadth and depth of our capacity and willingness for fellowship.” Note the words” capacity” and “willingness.” This doesn’t mean working at enlarging our circle of fellowship—though for some it may mean that—but that we have the capacity and willingness to do it if God should so lead.

I know there are Christians in churches, fellowships, and denominations whom I will never meet down here on earth, but I have the capacity and willingness to fellowship with them if God were to make it possible. We are only as mature as our willingness and capacity for fellowship. Therefore, if we cannot or do not want to fellowship with others who are truly Christ’s, then we are immature Christians. Churches and denominations have different rules and guidelines in relation to mixing with others of different groups, but as far as individual fellowship is concerned, our basis ought to be this: everyone who belongs to Christ should belong to everyone else who belongs to Christ.

Further Study

Jn 13:31-35; Rm 12:5; 1Co 10:17; Gal 3:28

What is the greatest testimony of Christ to the world?

To what does Paul liken the body of Christ?