The mark of Christian maturity is not how much truth you understand, but how much you actually act upon those truths. In the spiritual realm, the opposite of ignorance is not enlightenment ... it's obedience.
It is not how many times you've turned the pages of your Bible, but whether the pages of your Bible have 'turned' you ... Be doers of the Word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. (James 1:22)
Spiritual maturity has nothing to do with 'tenure'. The number of years you've been a believer in Christ is a mere statistic if conviction is not evidenced by obedience ... But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? (James 2:20)
God alone is the source of 'newness of life', but surrender to His will is on you ... His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. (2 Peter 1:3)
But remember ... any obedience that comes from your own strength does nothing to promote spiritual growth. 'Self-righteousness' brings glory to you instead of God.
So how can we DO this 'walk of faith' then? How can we be obedient without pride surfacing?
Death to 'self' puts credit where credit is due ... I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)
Knowing 'about' Jesus is not enough. Evidence of 'saving faith' comes through a transformed, obedient life.
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