… so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ.
Summary: In this passage, Paul introduces a perspective on Christ that we don’t always see spelled out so clearly.
Have you ever wondered what the goal of Christianity is? Why, for example, do we bother to go to church? Is there a reason we read the Bible and go to Bible studies? Don’t pastors and others in the church have better things to do than to worry about me?
Let’s look at the entire verse:
He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ.
He, Christ, is the one we proclaim to everyone we know.
We, the ones who are proclaiming Christ, teach everyone with all wisdom,
So that …
We may present everyone fully mature in Christ.
Imagine, for a moment, that you are Paul. One day, you are walking along the road to Damascus on your way to harass, arrest, and jail people who believe in this troublemaker called Jesus. Then, in a blinding flash, you are thrown to the ground before the unbearable light of God. Jesus himself speaks to you and gives you a commission (Acts 9, Galatians 1:15-16).
What do you do?
Faced with the ultimate power of the universe calling you out, you do your very best. All doubt is now gone. You KNOW what is on the other side when we pass through the curtain of death.
Paul’s mission is not only to proclaim Christ but to teach new believers about God’s ways so that they mature in Christ.
Why?
The Bible often uses seeds as a metaphor for faith (See Matthew 13:1-43). If the seeds are not growing, something bad usually happens. They get taken away, choked out, or burned up in the heat of day. Paul understands that faith is more than just checking a box and saying, “I believe.”
In his letter to the “twelve tribes” of Israel, James writes at length about the importance of deeds that result from faith (James 2:14-26). “Faith without deeds,” he says, “is dead.”
Paul wants to present the fruit of his work to Jesus. He wants that fruit to be alive and well. To ensure that happens, we nurture our faith with the Word and the Spirit. One day, if all goes well, we, too, will find ourselves in heaven, “fully mature in Christ.”
Application: Keep faith alive and well!
Food for Thought: What are the signs that someone is fully mature in Christ?
There are many ways – but for me the increasing evidence of the fruit of the Spirit is a great indicator: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.
Thanks, Brother!
You have really opened my eyes to this passage over the years and its importance for us as we mature in Christ. Thank you!
I believe some signs that someone is approaching full maturity in Christ are:
The absence of habitual sin.
We will always battle sin in our lives. Habitual sin though can be overcome by surrending our thoughts, and by consequence, our actions, to Christ. To focus the direction of our life to Him.
Ephesians 4:22-24
to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
A wide persective on prayer.
Our prayer life will focus less on ourselves and more on those around us. That is not to say we cannot ask for our needs, but others needs will also become as our needs, and the concern for others relationship with God will become paramount in our prayers.
2 Corinthians 13:7-9
But we pray to God that you may not do wrong—not that we may appear to have met the test, but that you may do what is right, though we may seem to have failed. For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. Your restoration is what we pray for.
A life of humility and service.
We let go of what “feels” comfortable to us, and focus on giving comfort to others.
Psalm 51:17
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
Thanks, Chris!
Maybe I can summarize your points with the Greatest Commandments: to learn to put God first in our lives, and love our neighbors as ourselves.
That is a good summation!
🙂
Funny how so many things in the Bible tie together …
What are the signs that someone is fully mature in Christ?
Mature Christians understand the importance of living in Christ, in humility, focused on a life of spiritual development as they serve all those brought to them by God. They live in a lifelong process that will not be over until we are with our Lord. The Bible gives us guidance on the characteristics of a matureing Christian and emphasizes the importance of spiritual maturity.
Speaking Truth in Love,
As we demonstrate Christ’s obedience and trust His will over our own. Ephesians 4:15
Gentleness,
As we demonstrate the life-changing power of the gospel and the heart of our Savior. Galatians 5:22-23, Titus 3:2
Living Generously,
As we give of ourselves, our time and resources included, as God leads and without fear. 2 Corinthians 9:11
Courageously Sharing What Christ Has Done, As we do not allow our insecurities to keep us from living for Him. Mark 5:19
Joining God’s Mission,
A miraculous transformation has occurred in our hearts and minds. Our thoughts and desires begin to mirror Christ’s.
2 Corinthians 5:16-17
Pursuing Unity,
In Christ our differences become the full-bodied expressions of Gods grace. John 13:35, 17: 20-21
Extending Grace given to us,
Our gratitude for all Christ has done for us should spill from us in acts of mercy and grace toward others. Matthew 18:21-35
Living According to Scripture,
Seek pleasing God over men as we study, apply Scripture, learning God’s ways and experiencing greater closeness with Him. John 14:15
Seeking Relational Health,
Maturity is most evident to the degree our lives resemble our Savior, the One who gave His life so that we can live ours. Colossians 1:19-20
Thanks Ron!
Beautifully said! It truly is a “lifelong process that will not be over until we are with our Lord.”