Colossians 1:9-14 not only gives us a great prayer to prayer for one another’s maturity in Christ (see last post), but it also gives us a blueprint for maturity in Christ.

The Means of Maturity in Christ (v9)

How do we grow?  We grow through God’s Word that teaches us the knowledge of his will.  We grow through the Spirit as he gives us wisdom and understanding to apply the Word to our daily lives.  And we grow through the power of prayer – as we pray for ourselves and indeed as others pray for us, as Paul is praying for the Colossians.  These three – the Word, the Spirit, and prayer – are powerful means toward our maturity in Christ.

The Manner of Maturity of Christ (v10)

What does maturity in Christ look like?  What is the manner or path toward maturity?  Maturity is found as we are bearing fruit in every good work – as we turn from sin and live for righteousness.  Maturity is found as we are increasing in our knowledge of God – as we grow in a vibrant relationship with him.  These two – growing in good works and grow in our relationship with God – are the manner of maturity in Christ.  This is what maturity looks like.

The Might behind Maturity in Christ (v11)

What empowers us to mature?  Not our own strength, but God’s strength.  We have strength to endure and press on as we look to God for his mighty power.  His power is the might behind maturity in Christ.

The Motive for Maturity in Christ (v12-14)

What motivates us to mature in Christ?  Gratitude for God’s salvation.  Gratitude for our inheritance in Christ, our deliverance from darkness, or entrance into Christ’s kingdom, our freedom from bondage to sin, our receiving forgiveness for all our sins, and every other glorious blessing that is ours in Jesus Christ.  The more we grasp God’s salvation for us, the more we will give thanks; and the more grateful we are, the more we will desire to live for Christ.  Gratitude for God’s salvation motivates us to mature in Christ.

Here then is a blueprint for maturity in Christ.  While the rest of Scripture fills in some gaps, this prayer gives us the basic means, manner, might, and motive related to maturity in Christ.  May we follow Paul’s blueprint for our own growing maturity in Christ for the glory of our great God!