Tests of Spiritual Maturity

Our growth into the spiritual maturity that brings insight into this great secret of “Christ in me” is a gradual process. How can we gauge our progress? Let me suggest a few criteria.

1) Is my grasping for an “it” becoming an embrace of a “him”? As we mature, we strive less for particular virtues, fruits of the Spirit, or charismatic gifts, and focus instead on their source - Jesus himself. We remain aware of these beautiful expressions of God’s love, but we are occupied with the God of love himself. Children are fascinated with their Christmas gifts; adults appreciate the givers more than the gifts. On a spiritual level too, our appreciation becomes more person-oriented than thing-oriented as we mature.

2) Am I becoming more aware that the Person I perceive as the Christ within me is triune? “God the Father of all…is in all,” says Paul (Eph 4:6); “God the Son, Jesus Christ is in you” (2 Cor 13:5); and “God the Holy Spirit is in you” (1 Cor 6:19). Perhaps we think of God in a way that St. Thomas Aquinas calls “attribution”: we attribute to one Person of the Trinity a work that belongs to all three – to the Father, creation; to the Son, redemption; to the Holy Spirit, sanctification. Naturally, because Jesus took on the same human nature we have, we relate most easily to him. He is our access to the Deity (Jn 14:6, 11). But as we become more spiritually mature, this human character of Jesus will open us to the transforming influence of all three Persons. Thus, we will gain more profound insight into the three personalities of the one God within us.

3) Am I learning that holiness is more a side effect than a goal? Certainly, God wills that all should become holy (1 Thes 4:3). But as we mature spiritually, we see that holiness results from the presence and work of Christ in us. We must learn to concentrate on immersing our life in Christ and leaving the outcome to God working in us by his grace. Seeking holiness on our own without this focus is like trying to get a suntan by striking matches in a dark room. Get out and bask in the brilliant sunlight!

4) Do I value God’s approval most of all? As we mature spiritually, we seek God’s approval for all we do. And we enjoy it far more than we enjoy the plaudits of any humans who may admire our spiritual accomplishments and be edified by them. “How can you believe,” Jesus asks, “if you accept praise from one another, yet make no effort to obtain the praise that comes from the only God?” (Jn 5:44).

5) Is Scripture helping me to know Jesus better? Love of Scripture is certainly a worthy goal (2 Tm 3:15), yet in those who are less mature, it may lean toward a “bibliolatry,” as if it were an end in itself rather than a telescope for exploring the mystery of Jesus. “You diligently search the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life,” Jesus warned some of the religious leaders who opposed him. “But these are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.” (Jn 5:39-40). As we grow in maturity, we will not fall into this same mistake.

6) Am I depending less and less on myself and more and more on Jesus, in ways that pervade every aspect of my life? Becoming mature means recognizing that our faith is not mountain-moving by itself but that it becomes so once it is fused with Jesus’ faith before the Father. Then we truly understand the words of Jesus” “Without me you can do nothing” (Jn 15:5). And with Paul, we become convinced that “this all-surpassing power is from God, not us” (2 Cor 4:7).

The Spirit of Jesus is all that our spirit needs to accomplish wonders. His heart beats with the love that our heart needs; his ministry has the effectiveness that our ministry needs. As we grow in surrender to him, the meaning of the great “secret” unfolds more and more. His abundant life is released to sweep away disease and sin; his life-giving water floods us with his vigor for living.

7) Do Christlike patterns of behavior show more clearly in my life? The fruit of the Spirit that characterizes maturing Christians reflects Christlike behavior patterns, not just new ones. Jesus did not say “abide in love,” but “in my love”; he did not say “I give you joy,” but “I give you my joy”; he did not say “peace I give you,” but my peace I give you.” The maturing soul becomes conformed to Christ by the Holy Spirit in every phase of living.

8) Is Christ’s presence becoming more and more of a reality in me? As we offer our bodies, minds, and wills to God, we become living testimonies of Jesus alive in the world today. Just as Jesus elicited a subtle sense of wonder from those he encountered (see John 7:15, for example), so will we – to the extent that people can sense the living presence of Jesus in us.

9. Would I describe my awareness of Christ in me as sporadic or continuous? Those who are spiritually mature are deeply aware of Christ’s inner presence – like Mary whose soul magnified the Lord (see Luke 1:46). Sometimes this awareness is a backdrop to the frenetic activities of daily life often it moves to the foreground in an experience of mystical contemplation. Whatever the case, spiritual maturity brings greater insight into God’s wondrous work in us: “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” (2 Cor 3:18).

This nine-point test might provide a framework for Paul’s mandate: “’Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ is in you – unless of course you fail the test?” (2 Cor 13:5).

What a privilege to have discovered this great secret! Let us explore it beginning today, for this is the most important and exciting pursuit we could ever hope for. As Paul reminds us, “God has chosen to make known the glorious riches of this mystery, CHRIST IN YOU…we proclaim him, admonishing and teaching with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ” (Col 1:27-28).

This excerpt is from the book The Art of Loving God by John H. Hampsch, C.M.F., originally published by Servant Publications, 1995. This and other of Fr. Hampsch's books and audio/visual materials can be purchased from Claretian Teaching Ministry, 20610 Manhattan Pl, #120, Torrance, CA 90501-1863. Phone 1-310-782-6408.