growing up

Ephesians 4:13 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. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

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Adults like to ask children what they'd like to be when they grow up.  Children like to fantasize about the exciting lives they will have as firefighters, doctors, astronauts or professional athletes.  We are eager for our children to grow up in every healthy way and find satisfaction and joy in work, in marriage, in life!

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But it is interesting that, on the spiritual side, even we adults are still growing up!  Our goal is no longer to become the fireman or the next pro football star.  As believers in Christ, our measure of 'growing up' is the "measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ".  I love the qualities that go with that.  From the passage above we see these characteristics that go with growing up:

-Unity with others who have come to faith

-Personal, intimate knowledge of Jesus

-Rock solid adherence to the Truth

-Truth speaking (from hearts of sincere love)

-Keen awareness that Christ is our head

-Awareness of our personal role in His body and acceptance of that role.

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The apostle Paul was certainly a mature man of God.  Here's what he said about his personal quest to grow up:

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Philippians 3:12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

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When it comes to maturing in Christ, growing up means growing up to become more like Christ Himself and the "up" points to the ultimate destination: Heaven!

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blessings,

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."