November 15
How tall are you ….
I have always wanted to be taller. I have always wanted to reach above the first shelf in my kitchen cabinets instead of having to grab a stool to get what I need. Short is not fun. And as I have aged, I have “grown” even shorter, by about two inches.
I have lamented being short when in crowds, trying to reach the pedals in certain models of cars and when surveying weight charts. (I really am not overweight; I am under-height!)
But there is a way that I can be tall. I can be tall in my faith stature. Paul, in Ephesians 4:13 sets a goal for that: “until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, growing into a mature [person] with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness.”
God provided the church with ministry gifts. Paul says they are apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. They are given to the church to train the saints so they can do the work of the ministry and the body of Christ can be built up into that maturity of faith and knowledge that reflects the fullness of Christ. [Ephesians 4:11-12]
We, as Christians, are to become mature. If you read through the New Testament you will find a “maturity theme.” We are expected to grow in Christ Jesus. We are expected to be wise with the wisdom of God’s Indwelling Holy Spirit.
God gives us everything we need to be mature. We have the revelation of Him in His Holy Word, and we have His Spirit in us to lead, guide, and instruct. But … and here is the point … we must choose maturity and cooperate with Him. Only then can we achieve “a stature measured by Christ’s fullness.”
