Maturity In God’s House

Wilson Lim
Mar 17
12 min read

Updated: Mar 18

Mary came back from shopping one Saturday morning. When she entered the house, she found the house to be a mess. Her 4 children were running all around the house shrieking in delight and chucking clothes at one another, jumping over chairs, leaving furniture overturned, clothes everywhere. Shocked, she was about to shout out to the kids to stop and warn them that Dad will discipline them. When suddenly, Tom her husband rushed around the corner and threw clothes at the children and her! She groaned, “Can I have some maturity in the house?”

Have you ever had anyone look at you and ask, “Can I see some maturity here?” Or perhaps you have asked that of someone else. When there is a lack of maturity it can be rather frustrating. Especially in those who should have become more mature. The same situation can occur in the church. In fact, immaturity occurs far too often. But this issue also occurred in the Early Church such as in the church in Corinth.

The context of 1 Corinthian 6 is the occurrence of disputes between members of the Corinth church. Disputes which are ending up in the secular courts to find resolution. These came to Paul’s attention, including a specific dispute between one brother against another brother. We do not know about the nature of the dispute, but it was so bad that it required a legal resolution.

The way Paul addressed the problem, opens our eyes to broader concerns. As usual Paul was not just concerned about the specific dispute alone. He was much more concerned about what it revealed about the immaturity in God’s house. He was also very concerned that God’s church should operate God’s way, especially in the light of what the church is called to be.

So, as we study this passage, it enlightens us on 3 key aspects. Aspects which may challenge us as to our own maturity.

WHEN MATURITY IS LACKING IN GOD’S HOUSE

Apostle Paul was horrified to observe that there was so much immaturity within God’s house at Corinth. You can sense that in the language he was using. The immaturity was clear in several ways.

Widespread carnal behaviour

1 Corinthians 6:1, 7-8 (NIV) “1 If any of you has a dispute with another, dare he take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the saints? 7 The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? 8 Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers.”

Paul was basically saying, “Why have these disputes got so out of hand? To the point that you even bring it to the courts of law? The fact that it reached there means all of you have completely failed! Even the one suing. If you have been wronged, if you have been cheated, then let it be so rather than letting it reach this extent.”

You mean, just let someone cheat and wrong you? Well, Jesus taught in Matthew 5:38-41 (NIV) 38 "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' 39 But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41 If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.

It is carnal, worldly thinking for believers to fight for their rights and justice by relying on the world’s way, through the world’s systems.

Paul applied the principle Jesus taught to this situation. He concluded that it is better to be cheated and wronged than to bring it to the secular courts against another brother. It is carnal, worldly thinking for believers to fight for their rights and justice by relying on the world’s way, through the world’s systems. Where is the trust in God and His Church to provide justice?

Now I am not suggesting a blanket avoidance of working through the legal system. Not at all. And it is not my intention today to expound all the key principles involved in biblically dealing with the courts of law. But we must ask ourselves, are we simply falling in step with the world’s way of thinking? Have we stopped to carefully consider what is the biblical, godly way of dealing with such matters? Have we prayed and sought God? Rather than simply running to our lawyers?

Cheating another believer is like cheating your own father, or mother, or sibling. Because the church community is meant to be like a family!

Paul went on to point out, “It is bad enough that a member is cheating others. Worse still he cheats another brother!” It is such a big thing to Paul because cheating another believer is like cheating your own father, or mother, or sibling. Because the church community is meant to be like a family! This is terrible carnality!

When there is lots of immaturity in God’s house, we see all kinds of immature carnal behaviour. For example, immature people get offended easily. Just because people are not very careful with their words and put things the wrong way – we get offended! People forget to invite us to their birthday party – we get offended! People accidentally overlooked us – we get offended! There are so many believers who get offended all the time in church and even leave the church. That is so sad!

When conflicts and disputes are occurring a lot in the church it shows there is considerable immaturity in the church. A church that my brother once used to attend in Malaysia had so much conflict between one congregation to another. Between elders to elders. Over money, over property, over who had more rights. Absolutely sad! They could not resolve it objectively, amicably, biblically.

When immaturity is widespread within a church, it is an indication how unhealthy the church is.

When believers wrong another by cheating them or mistreating or discriminating against them and so forth, it is carnality and immaturity. When immaturity is widespread within a church, it is an indication how unhealthy the church is. That it is not growing as it should.

Problems cannot be resolved in-house

1 Corinthians 6:5 (NIV) “I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers?”

Not only was there considerable immaturity within the church, what saddened Paul even more was that there did not seem to be anyone mature enough, wise enough to judge the dispute. There was none mature enough! It was not a case where they have lots of new believers in the church, so it would be understandable that there is still considerable carnality. But by then here should have been some who have matured enough to handle such situations. Yet there were none! What a shameful situation!

The Church is intended by God to be the answer to this world’s problems.

Why? Because the Church is intended by God to be the answer to this world’s problems. The Church was designed by God to be a righteous community, full of love. A light on the hill, declaring God’s purposes. A living demonstration of heaven lived out on earth! When God’s Church is done God’s way, it should feel like a piece of heaven has come on earth. Better than freshly baked bread and freshly brewed coffee! So continual immaturity is a blight on the church. It ought not to be. 1 Corinthians 14:20 (NIV) Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults.

When God’s Church is done God’s way, it should feel like a piece of heaven has come on earth.

The sad problem amongst many believers today, is that we are too focussed on resolving issues pragmatically, just like we learnt in the world. Instead, we need to learn to step back and think about God’s way. Think about how Jesus would do it. Think about how God would view the whole issue. If each one of us would do just that, it would revolutionise the way we live. The God’s way would become increasingly evident in God’s Church. As it ought to be.

Yet the problem in Corinth continued to get worse.

Immaturity was publicised to the world

1 Corinthians 6:6 (NIV) “But instead, one brother goes to law against another--and this in front of unbelievers!”

Paul was appalled that the dirty linen of the church was brought into the world. In Corinth, such legal disputes are settled in the magistrate courts which usually are held in the middle of the market square. So anybody and everybody can hear it all. Imagine if your children one day publicise the dirty linen of your family, the private intimate family matters to the world! Just tweet it all! Reality show style like the Kardashians!

When the church fails to address problems within, or addresses it terribly, then it is broadcast to the world, it gives the Devil more means to attack the church.

When the church fails to address problems within, or addresses it terribly, then it is broadcast to the world, it gives the Devil more means to attack the church. It undermines the credibility of Gospel. This was an insult to the Church. An insult to God!

I am not suggesting that wrongs within the church should ever be hushed up. It needs to be addressed. But not in a way that drags down the name of the Church and the name of God. Imagine if certain very bad things happen in a local church. It is when the church rises up and deals with problems in a godly, gracious, fair and wise way. Then the world will sit up and be amazed! Did you see how the church dealt with this issue? Our courts would never have resolved it in such a gracious and fair way!

That should be the way! God’s Church, God’s way.

WHY MATURITY IS DESIRABLE FOR THIS LIFE AND BEYOND

Here Paul briefly gives a reason to the Corinthian church why wisdom, maturity is so important within the church. Why it is so important for the age to come and also for the present. From Paul’s explanation we can gather a couple of key principles.

Reflects who we are in Christ

1 Corinthians 6:2a (NIV) “Do you not know that the saints...”

In Christ, we are saints, justified, sanctified, set apart for God.

Paul made the point of referring to the Corinthian believers as saints (the Greek hagios). For its meaning emphasizes those who have been sanctified unto God as holy. In Christ, we are saints, justified, sanctified, set apart for God. And it is precisely because we are saints, our daily lives are meant to increasingly reflect saintliness, godliness. We are to mature into the very image of Christ. Romans 8:28-29 (NIV) 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

Because we are saints, our daily lives are meant to increasingly reflect saintliness, godliness. We are to mature into the very image of Christ.

It is all about growing up! Not according to the world’s criteria. But to God’s standard. To be more like God in character, in our thinking. 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV) And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

One day, Prince George will be the king of England. In 2015, Prince George was 2 years old. As he grows up, he should increasingly understand what it means to be a king and conduct himself more and more in a manner befitting a future king. But what a disaster if he turns out to be a lazy, unreliable, immature, rascal of a person? He is meant to be a king, but he is unfit to be a king.

What a disaster when Christ-followers are called saints but live in rather unsaintly ways, or even worse, like the devil. Ephesians 4:1 (NIV) As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.

We are not speaking about putting up a front, a veneer of respectability. So we appear to be saint-like. Rather I am talking about genuine transformation inside. Growing in the fruit of the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV) 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control.

When we grow in the fruit of the Spirit and in understanding of spiritual matters - that is growing in spiritual maturity.

When we grow in the fruit of the Spirit and in understanding of spiritual matters - that is growing in spiritual maturity. Let’s aspire to that. Because that is what God has called you to.

Reflects our call to greater roles

1 Corinthians 6:2-3a (NIV) “2 Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? 3 Do you not know that we will judge angels?”.

Paul pointed out the irony of the whole situation. The church in Corinth had no one competent enough to judge the dispute between the members. How can this be? When God’s intent is that believers will one day be involved in judging this world, and even the fallen angels. These are celestial beings. Vast multitudes of mighty angelic beings who back in time past, in heaven above – fell into sin when they joined Satan in rebellion against God.

It requires us to judge creatures we have minimal understanding of, in a context we have not even begun to experience yet, in an era way beyond our time. Imagine you were informed that one day you will be appointed to be a judge at the International Court of Justice of the United Nations. This court deals with legal disputes between countries. Yet at present you cannot even deal with a dispute involving a minor traffic violation. It is all simply too difficult! How can you possibly prepare to be a judge of international stature one day?

God has prepared for us huge roles in the Kingdom of God in the coming age.

We need to understand. Being called to be judges is simply one of many areas that God is planning for us to take bigger roles in the Kingdom of God. But this gives us a clue about how big the roles can be. God has prepared for us huge roles in the Kingdom of God in the coming age.

I don’t know about you. But I want to prepare myself for such roles. I like the challenge to grow, to mature, to be wiser and be more ready for such roles! And as we grow towards such huge responsibilities, it will be easier to deal with the issues we face today!

So let’s aspire to grow in maturity, according to God’s call upon our lives.

WHY WE SHOULD DEVELOP IN MATURITY NOW

As part of Paul’s debate with them, he applies it to the present, the now. In effect it gives us a key reason why we should develop in maturity right now!

Present opportunities to mature

1 Corinthians 6:3b-4 (NIV) “How much more the things of this life! 4 Therefore, if you have disputes about such matters, appoint as judges even men of little account in the church!”

Paul made the point that since God intends us to judge the world and even angels, how much more we should be engaged in learning to be competent while we are still in this life. Let even the men of little stature be given opportunity to learn. Hebrews 5:12-14 (NIV) 12 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! 13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

Our time on earth is our opportunity to learn, to gain experiences, to mature for heaven.

In other words, our time on earth is our opportunity to learn, to gain experiences, to mature for heaven. The challenges, the struggles we have to face can help us grow up. What happens to the child who attends school but is too busy playing, day-dreaming, doing their own stuff most of the time? They will not learn what they were meant to. Have you ever thought about the fact that our time on earth is like a big school? Now is the season of learning and preparation for the bigger responsibilities in the age to come? I have developed as I have because I have grabbed hold of every opportunity to learn as much as possible.

So how many of us are taking the effort to learn, to experience, to grow in God? Or are we too focussed on other things? Things which do not matter that much in eternity? Let’s refocus on learning and growing into maturity. Carpe diem. Sieze the day. Today!

Rewards for faithfulness.

God will reward us based on how faithful we have been in this present life.

Do you realise that God will reward us based on how faithful we have been in this present life to Him? It will be according to God’s measure, not the measure of this world. Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV) 23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

Hebrews 10:35-36 (NIV) 35 So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. 36 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.

God’s measure is how faithful we have been to Him. In our seeking to know Him well as His children. To serve Him as servants. To grow in maturity be more like Him. God will reward the faithful!

CONCLUSIONS

God desires maturity in His house, the Church. For God’s intent is that we mature to the extent that one day in the coming age we will be competent to judge this world and even the angels. God has incredible responsibilities in store for us but we must prove ourselves faithful by growing up while in this present life. Will you be one of those today?