Aleksey Fomichenko’s Reviews > Maturity: Growing Up and Going On in the Christian Life > Status Update

God knows what he is doing in every situation in our lives, not least in our darker moments. Pain, times of disappointment or sorrow, all serve as his pruning knife. His providences at times seem to cut deeply; but his purpose is to enable us to grow strong enough to bear new fruit. He prunes with perfect skill. We are tested, but not beyond what we can bear (I Cor. 10:13).

If the graft shows no sign of bearing fruit, then there is no evidence that it is vitally united to the vine—whatever the outward appearance may be. It will be cut away and burned. It has no life-receiving and fruit-bearing union with the vine.

One can be enlightened, taste the heavenly gift, share in the Holy Spirit, taste the goodness of the word of God, and the powers of the age to come—and yet be an apostate (Heb. 6:4-6).

Jesus Christ is both the author of our faith and the one who matures and perfects it (Heb. 12:2). He died to bring us to maturity. He lives to accomplish that goal. It is the reason why he gave us the ministry of his word, which, when exercised faithfully, nourishes all the other spiritual gifts in the church.

Mature Christians are stable, capable Christians whose gifts and graces have been developed; those who by God's grace have become masters of themselves, and are able to use all the gifts that God has given them in his service.