I’m quoting myself in this post because it gives me the opportunity to display some thoughts on Christian maturity. Thoughts that don’t have to be retyped, that is, just copy and pasted. Thanks for your indulgence.
What I’m arguing against is the American/individual style of church that’s been created in America. Where church is used to augment my own Christian experience. Naturally, the notion of individual experience seems silly, given that once you’re “saved” you become part of a body. You once were an individual, now you are part of a body.
Paul’s whole notion of body is to defeat this very idea: hands don’t experience things differently apart from the body as a whole. That is, unless it detaches itself during the week and comes back only on Sunday. Which then becomes the definition of American church.
I think we don’t see clearly enough the idea of community or body. Church is not for me to learn something. Learning is a minor part of maturation. Maturation involves growing into the person/body of Christ. Maturation happens when I can provide for others in a context greater than myself
Again, let’s use the imagery of a parent. My maturity as a father is not based on the fact that I know more than my child. Maturity is measured in my ability to see past myself as an individual and realize my son and I are one. As are my wife and I. My I-ness has ceased to exist when I got married, and again when I have children. I have become less yet become more. I have grown into a new “person” that includes my wife and children. I can’t have experiences that affect me but not my family.
But even that’s not the end of maturity. Maturity is being responsible for creating a place for them to grow, learn, and mature. Maturation is measured in relationships and community, not knowledge. I don’t have some interactions with my son that are devoid of building relationship or growing him into manhood. I’ve never looked at my son, or anyone else for that matter, and said, “I’m not your role model, don’t follow me.” If I do, that’s negligent and immature on my behalf. Nevertheless, it prevails as a common and normative form of parenting in America.
I think this is the difference we encounter in the discussion on church. Every encounter I have builds relationship or reinforces alienation. Our default state in sin is alienation, our new birth requires us to grow into relationship. Sunday morning is necessarily part of the growing and maturation process of Christians, whether as givers or receivers.
So I disagree that Jesus is your teacher. You are being grown into the body of Christ, and he gave you instructors, teachers, and fathers to accomplish that maturation. The work of the Spirit is transformation via instruction, conviction, and the growth animus itself. So to your assertion that, “So apparently, the body does indeed build ITSELF,” is a mis-notion of itself. I’ve been involved in body building for many years. Indeed, the body grows as the individual parts are healthy and work together. But when I break my arm, the body works to repair the arm, it cannot heal by itself.
You said, “Why would you trust anyone who said, “Well, I’m a mature Christian.” But who else would I follow? Maturity is measurable, from your vantage point as well as their’s. This is why we have Timothy appointing elders who are mature, there’s a qualitative and evident lifestyle that coincides with maturity. Likewise, Paul repeatedly stated, “Follow me as I follow Christ.” You cannot follow Christ apart from following the example of people who are following Him. This is the whole Christ incarnate idea. Christ doesn’t exist apart from His Body. That is not to say you don’t have to be judicious in who you follow, but it you have to follow somebody.
Which brings us full circle to community. We follow Christ and Spirit into relationship with God. But we follow Christ, in part, as we follow the leaders he’s established. And we follow the Spirit, in part, as He speaks through other people. But these are necessary parts. They complete the relationship and necessity of become a body.
