Are You A Mature Christian?

James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings. My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

James 1:1-4 (NKJV)

Note the phrase “scattered abroad” it displays the spiritual principle, that spiritual thermo dynamics is expanded through heat. Heat (a trial) expands our faith. If we do not allow God to stretch our faith we will not be able to receive the blessings he has for us. Our faith needs to be stretched.

Five Characteristics of a Mature Christian: 
1. Count It All Joy – (James 1:2)
the attitude a mature christian exhibits when going through a trial that expresses their deep faith in a trial
2. Be Able to Control Your Emotions – (James 1:13-16)
A mature christian not only overcomes trials on the outside but a mature christian has to learn to overcome trials on the inside. 
– a trial on the inside is an opportunity to accomplish a good thing in a bad way outside of the will of God.
3. Act on the Word – (James 1:22):
Faith is released through action; you must act on the Word.
-we must be doers of God’s word, and act on what God shows us in His word.
4. A Mature Christian is a Peacemaker and not a Troublemaker – (James 3:1-2)
-If the truth about a brother or sister is harmful, a mature believer will cover it with love and not repeat it.(1Peter4:8)
– If the person has sinned a mature believer will go to that person personally and try to win him back (Matthew18:15-19; Galatians 6:1-2)
5. Have an Attitude of Faith – (James 5) 
Follow the prophets 
Hebrews 12 – look unto Jesus when we are going through a trial