We remember our personal struggles to break through, from childhood to adolescence to adulthood. We had so much to learn, so many growing pains and a few poor choices that helped forge us. And for many of us, we have watched our children move also to maturity and are blessed to see them guiding their families.
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But, as I read Ephesians 4 this morning, the real definition of 'ultimate maturity' seemed to jump off the page. Among the amazing things that God accomplishes when He reaches us with His loving touch, and we respond to that embrace, is to become shaped to be like His wonderful Son.
Consider this passage:
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Ephesians 4: 11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.
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When I consider the definition of maturity, I can think of nothing better than: "the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ".
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And, also amazingly, He gifts us (the very ones who need to mature) to reach , lead, teach each other. As a result, we grow in faith, unity and knowledge of the Lord.
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These days there are many 'waves and winds' driven by men who are not submitted to the Lord. They are crafty in deceitfulness and we can fall prey. Let us be committed to use the gifts He has given us to build one another up and draw others into the quest to become like Jesus.
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much love,
Rob Smith
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"Death is inevitable. Life is a choice!"
John 11:25
Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live."
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