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DAY 13
SEPTEMBER 27, 2024
SEPTEMBER 27, 2024
MY GROWTH
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… Ephesians 4:13-15
One of my favorite movies is Forrest Gump. One of my favorite parts of the movie is when Forrest’s mother takes him to a doctor after seeing that he may have a growth issue. The doctor says, “his legs are strong Mrs. Gump,” but, “his back is as crooked as a politician.” Young Forrest was growing but he would need leg braces to help him grow correctly.
Paul was concerned that there may be young Christians in the Church in Ephesus that were growing but not necessarily correctly. Twice in this passage he emphasizes the goal of growth is to be more like Christ (vv. 13, 15). The apostle uses a term that translates into our language as “mature manhood” which should serve as a reminder that God intends for us to fulfill the ultimate goal that He had originally intended for man-kind and the ultimate example that He gave us to follow was His Son.
Growth is a process that happens over time. New Christians grow when they commit themselves to understanding the scriptures with the help of more mature Christians who make themselves available through the body of Christ. The more we are attuned to God and obedient to His Holy Spirit, the better prepared we are to grow and mature in the Lord.
CONSIDER THIS:
Read: Ephesians 4:11-16
PRAY: This passage asks us to grow and mature with the help of other believers. Please pray for unity with others to ensure that as a body of believers we grow in the way God intends for us to.
One of my favorite movies is Forrest Gump. One of my favorite parts of the movie is when Forrest’s mother takes him to a doctor after seeing that he may have a growth issue. The doctor says, “his legs are strong Mrs. Gump,” but, “his back is as crooked as a politician.” Young Forrest was growing but he would need leg braces to help him grow correctly.
Paul was concerned that there may be young Christians in the Church in Ephesus that were growing but not necessarily correctly. Twice in this passage he emphasizes the goal of growth is to be more like Christ (vv. 13, 15). The apostle uses a term that translates into our language as “mature manhood” which should serve as a reminder that God intends for us to fulfill the ultimate goal that He had originally intended for man-kind and the ultimate example that He gave us to follow was His Son.
Growth is a process that happens over time. New Christians grow when they commit themselves to understanding the scriptures with the help of more mature Christians who make themselves available through the body of Christ. The more we are attuned to God and obedient to His Holy Spirit, the better prepared we are to grow and mature in the Lord.
CONSIDER THIS:
Read: Ephesians 4:11-16
- Do you think it is important to measure your spiritual growth?
- What standards have you used in your lifetime to measure maturity?
- God’s goal for us is to be more like Jesus. Is this your goal?
PRAY: This passage asks us to grow and mature with the help of other believers. Please pray for unity with others to ensure that as a body of believers we grow in the way God intends for us to.