Everyone one wants to grow in one area of life or another. We are encouraged as Christians to grow. This is a very much emphasised issue in the bible. We humans do not like stagnancy or retrogression, we want to continue experiencing progress. God also desires that those who who have entered into a relationship with Him through His Son grow into maturity. Growth is a process, in terms of the spiritual, it is an unending one. It is very important to state that desiring growth without readiness to abide in Christ, is self deception. Jesus Christ said, except you abide in me, you can do not. None can say he/she has arrived until the sojourn here on earth expires. Growing in Christlikeness involves our input as well as input of those who have oversight role in our lives
Ephesians 4:11-15 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; [12] For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. [13] Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: [14] That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; [15] But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ
The work of those church leadership is to help facilitate the growth of Christians into maturity. This is what perfecting of the saints implies. They are there to help supply the essentials which the people will take personal responsibility for and begin to act on their own so as to enjoy a progression in their spiritual journey. Church leaders will teach, preach, counsel… but they will not be the ones to usher you into personal devotion times with God, they are not the ones who will enable you make decisions you make, they are not the ones who will put thoughts in your minds, they are not the ones who will make you act or relate to others the way you do.. this is where each one takes responsibility.
The focus of this article will be on two aspects of the verses above: vs 13 and 15. A perfect man unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ True faith or belief in God is expressed through actions. It would be important to make two clarifications: works without Christ is meaningless and cannot save you. Secondly, faith without action is dead.
James 2:17-22 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. [18] Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. [19] Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. [20] But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? [21] Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? [22] Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
Growing up is an ongoing construction. It is a process of building something. A house don’t just emerge from thoughts, it is actualised through a series of actions based on what has been thought out and drawn on a house plan. A survey is done, necessary permits are secured, preliminary work is done on the ground and foundation is built and the building continues thereafter. Growing into the matured man in the stature of Christ is a building process of a lifetime. It shows you are alive. Jesus Christ desires us His followers/disciples to be like Him. This is something that cannot happen overnight. A house does not build itself, it is only constructed by the one who has the plan and coordinates all building efforts in the construction process. Consistency is the key to growth. Constant nourishment and proximity to the Holy Spirit will enable growth.
Interestingly, God has given us a responsibility in the process of growing into His stature.
Stature:
High level of respect gained by impressive development or achievement
Physical stature differs from spiritual stature. There are great men based on physical endowment or achievements but there are men who might be physically disregarded but spiritually endowed such that they cannot be overlooked.
1 Samuel 2:26 And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favour both with the Lord, and also with men.
1 Samuel 16:7 But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.
Opposition in growth
Building anything good attracts opposition. Nehemiah attracted the likes of Sanballat and Tobiah. However Nehemiah generated his building success strategy. You cannot grow into the stature of Christ if you do not know the opposition against you and how to handle them .
Mockers
Spiritual laziness
Disillusionment
Inconsistency
Lack of obedience
How to grow into Christ?
As simplistic as it may sound, Submission to the Holy Spirit and obedience are the indispensable in the growth unto the stature of the fullness of Christ. Jesus Christ said you are my friends if you obey my commandments. Having spent time with children and closely observing them, a very notable trait about them is that they are more keen at observing how the parent, teacher, older siblings and others act. This is why they are more engaged in role play activities. Apostle Paul boldly declared,
Phiillppians 4:9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
Apostle Paul was well aware that impacting and influencing the lives of others was much more than what we say, it very much involve our actions as well. Obedience facilitates change. Change in an aspect(s) of a person in the positive direction, is what causes growth to occur. There will be a huge change in our spiritual lives for the better, if we copy Christ and adhere to how the Holy Spirit Himself acts or what He directs us to do. Childlike attitude in our submission to God
1 Corinthians 15:33-34 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. [34] Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.
In light of the verse above, a person of this nature will have to shift away from the company of those who facilitates this spiritually unwholesome behaviour as well as pray for discipline over the tongue.
John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
There must be acceptance of Christ before a person is born again, this spiritual change of identity cannot occur without yielding to Christ’s offer of forgiveness.
John 12:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit
The ongoing spiritual transformation of a Christian must involve a process of endless changing of habits, attitudes and desires which aligns with that of Christ. This is the only way for a Christian to grow into the fullness of the stature of Christ. The desire to allow the Holy Spirit reign and the flesh step aside must always be present.
Galatians 2:18-20 For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. [19] For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. [20] I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me
Colossians 3:1-10 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. [2] Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. [3] For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. [4] When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. [5] Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. [8] But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. [9] Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; [10] And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
Ephesians 4:21-32 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: [22] That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; [23] And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; [24] And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. [25] Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. [26] Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: [27] Neither give place to the devil. [28] Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
Proverbs 13:20 He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
Jesus Christ demands even much more than the standard in the Old Testament. Do your want to walk in righteousness and experience growth in your walk as a Christian? You must choose to grow into the fullness of the stature of Christ. In order for this to happen you must be ready to take concrete actions in total surrender of your will unto the Holy Spirit. A desire for radical shift demands radical steps of faith based actions. May the Lord help you make the necessary changes no matter the cost, may you enjoy growth in Christlikeness like never before.