Day 534: Maturity - Ephesians 4 vs 7 - 16

7-8 Grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.” 9 In saying, “He ascended”, what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? 10 He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things. 

11-12 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds (pastors) and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,  13-14 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, 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. 

5-16 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is  the head, into Christ, 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. Ephesians 4:7-16 (English Standard Version)

What big difference ought there to be between mature adults and children? (vs 13-14)

Mature adults ought not be gullible, and therefore vulnerable, to those who mean them harm; nor should they be controlled by their emotions. We need to include the word 'mature' because some adults haven’t matured and do act like children. But Paul's words imply that this can be true of Christians as well. Earlier in this chapter he urged Christians to conduct themselves with ‘all humility, gentleness and patience, and to bear with one another in love’. Those are ways in which mature people behave. What does Paul say Christ has done to help Christians grow into this sort of maturity? (vs 11-12)

He gave the Church people, equipped by His Spirit, to teach and guide them in ways that would build them up in their faith, and in their love for one another. In vs 7-8 he quotes some words from Psalm 68:18 as ultimately speaking of Christ. The Psalm was about God's rising up in triumph over all the enemies of His people. So when Jesus ascended triumphantly into heaven, He was able to give gifts to His people. The gospel of Luke describes a similar picture when Jesus read the prophecy of Isaiah about Himself which said: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed.” (Luke 4:18) Christ came from heaven to set those in captivity free, and, having made them free, He gave gifts to them by which they could serve one another.

What is the important thing Paul tells us about 'winds of doctrine' that can blow Christians off course from reaching heaven's harbour? (vs 13-14)

The false teaching that Christians encountered, even back in Paul's time, were not just little differences people had. They were words of cunning, craftiness and deceitful schemes. Satan was attacking Christians through people who twisted God's words. That's still true of lies taught by heretics and sects today. Unless believers mature in the faith, they will be vulnerable to groups like JW's, Mormons and many others. How can believers keep from being blown off course? (vs 15-16)

We are to constantly speak the truth of God's word to each other, and to live it out towards one another. His words imply that, while we’re not all pastors or teachers, Christ has given all of us abilities we can use for the benefit of others. It's like working out together in God's gymnasium! The last two words of our reading remind us that love is the key to maturity. When we seek to love others as Christ loves us, we will grow to the stature of the fullness of Christ.