In the corner of the fitness room stood a life-size cardboard picture of a man with the perfect body. I stared at it a few seconds and thought, "I'll never look like that." I'm a realist. On the bright side, at least I was in the gym. I might not ever be the poster boy for fitness, but I can improve my health. That's my goal: to improve, not be perfect.

When some Christians think about growing into spiritual maturity, they feel the same way. They see Jesus in the gospels and think, "I could never be like that." They're right. They can never be perfect. Only Jesus is perfect. That's why we trust in him. But we can grow and mature. What else would we want to do? Growing in Christian maturity honors the One who saved us. With this Bible study we begin a 12-part series on the portraits of a mature Christian. In each study we'll look at a distinguishing mark of a mature Christian and consider what it takes to become a portrait of maturity ourselves.

PEACE WITH GOD THROUGH CHRIST

The first mark of a mature Christian is that he knows that he is at peace with God. Jesus' life mission was to make peace for us with God. Those who listened carefully to him understood this. Do you remember the story about the woman who barged into a Pharisee's home where Jesus was eating dinner and washed his feet with tears and expensive perfume? The Pharisee was so religious that he hadn't heard Jesus when he promised peace with God. But this woman heard him. She had longed for peace in her troubled conscience. Up until she met Jesus, nothing settled her troubled soul. Once she realized that Jesus himself was her peace, she had to show him her appreciation. So many men had come to her to take. No man had ever come into her life to give so much. The irony to the story is that to most people it was the Pharisee who looked mature. After all, he was so religious. No one would have thought that the sinful woman was more mature than he was, but she was.

Before you go any further, pick up your Bible and read the story in Luke 7:36-50. Pay careful attention to verses 48-50. The questions that follow are a personal spiritual workout to help you live in peace.

Luke 7:48-50:
48Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."
49The other guests began to say among themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?"
50Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."

POINTS TO PONDER

1. Why did Simon criticize Jesus for allowing this woman to gush over him?