Preaching to mature Christians is one of the hardest things I do. You know the kind those who have believed for a lifetime or two. Who seem to have attended church ever since it was built and have held every position of trust in both church and prayer house.

They know Bible verses better than the pastor, can recite most hymns from both the current and the old hymnals by heart, and have heard most sermons and talks before. They sit quietly with their arms crossed, their expressions barely changing during the preaching. They are pillars and Mothers with a capital M of the congregation, part of the inner framework, the backbone of the church. The ones who are always there and always will be faithful.

I often think, as I stand in the pulpit, “What on earth do I have to tell them about the gospel that they don’t already know or haven’t heard before?” Even though they are usually very generous with positive feedback, I can only thank the Spirit for reaching their hearts. I myself am left with a sense of falling short, especially when it comes to this group.

The other day, I received a book recommendation from my good friend and pastor Egil Elling Ellingsen at IMI Church. The book dealt precisely with what it means to be a mature Christian and what that might look like. The book is called Sacred Fire, written by the Catholic priest and theologian Ronald Rolheiser. I cannot recommend it strongly enough to those of you who have come some distance along the path of discipleship. Not only did I learn a great deal about these so-called “mature Christians,” but also a great deal about myself and the season of life I am currently in.

In the book, Rolheiser presents “Ten Commandments” for a mature Christian, which I would like to share with you here on the blog. Why? Because I believe—and hope—they can offer some insight into what the life of a mature Christian might look like. Simply put, a bit of inspiration. The book runs to several hundred pages, so this summary remains only a taste.

So here are the “Ten Commandments” for a mature Christian:

• Live in gratitude and thanksgiving to the Lord by enjoying and appreciating the life He has given you.
• Be willing to carry a greater share of life’s burdens and difficulties, with empathy and love.
• Respond to the jealousy, anger, bitterness, and hatred you encounter and expose it with kindness. Let all that is negative be filtered through you, and let only goodness come back out.
• Let your own suffering and the suffering of the world soften your soul rather than harden your heart.
• Forgive those who hurt you. Forgive yourself for the mistakes you have made, and forgive God for not rescuing you in the way you wanted Him to.
• Bless more. Curse less.
• Live radically honestly—especially with yourself.
• Pray! Both relationally and liturgically. (Relational prayer is personal prayer—your own conversations with God, if you will. Liturgical prayer is your prayer, or the church’s prayer, prayed on behalf of the church and creation, concerning the world we live in.)
• Include many people in your life.
• Be where you are meant to be in life, and let God take care of the rest.

These “commandments” are not a replacement for the Ten Commandments. As Rolheiser writes, the biblical Ten Commandments are not an ideal but an unattainable minimum requirement for salvation—apart from God’s grace. Rolheiser explores each of these “commandments” in depth in his book, so if this resonates with you or you want to learn more, I strongly recommend it.

For my own part, I will use these commandments as a reminder of the kind of life a mature Christian can live.