We’ve heard it our whole lives.
“Grow up!”
“Don’t be a baby.”
“Act your age”
No one wants to be immature. We want to grow up into strength, wisdom and the full maturity of our potential.
The same is true spiritually.
Every Christian will get to a point when they wonder, “Is my faith mature enough?” “Am I missing something deeper?” “Is there a more sophisticated or advanced version of Christianity?”
And sometimes someone comes along and offers us exactly that:
A deeper spirituality.
A hidden knowledge.
A more enlightened Christianity.
In that moment we are vulnerable to the deception of what Paul referred to as ‘plausible arguments’. These are teachings that make a lot of sense and promise a deeper spirituality. But underneath the surface are dangerous corruptions of the gospel.
In Colossians 1:24-2:5 Paul gave a biographical sketch of his ministry which is a gold standard of measuring true vs false ministry.
1. Suffering for others in the name of Christ is an occasion for great joy. (1:24)
2. The greatest will be the servants. (1:25)
3. The central task of ministry in the church is to preach Christ. (1:25-29)
4. The true marks of maturity are unity, love and stability. (2:1-5)
These standards can do two things for us: 1) help us gauge our own maturity and 2) expose counterfeit gospels and dangerous influencers.
Tom Brown is the planting pastor of Vintage Faith Church in Wichita. Tom and his wife, Mandy, have worked together in ministry for over 20 years and have four children. More about Pastor Tom Brown