IncreaseSample

Increase in Maturity

In verse 11 of the New Living Translation, it says that Christ placed apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers in the Body of Christ—the Church—to equip God’s people to do the work of the ministry, building up the Body of Christ. These people, called to these offices, would continue to minister until we all come to unity in our faith and the knowledge of God’s Son, to maturity, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.

·Is the Body of Christ, the Church universal, unified in love and purpose?

·Are we, as believers, mature, not caught up in the “winds of doctrine” that toss us to and fro, discerning when we are being deceived from the truth?

·Are we able to “speak the truth in love” with each other, growing in every way to be more and more like Christ?

·Are we all doing our part to help our brothers and sisters grow, so that the whole Body of Christ is healthy, growing, and full of the love of God for one another?

The answer to all of these questions is “no,” decidedly not! So we still definitely need these callings in the Body of Christ. Whether the various parts of the Body call men and women of God the names given these offices or not, their function is apparent, and God is using men and women of God to grow up the Church!

A major identifying trait as to whether someone is mature or not, is that they can: “speak the truth in love”! What does that mean? That they are abrupt and rude and “give people a piece of their mind” as to what others should or shouldn’t be doing, often coming across as unsympathetic or judgmental? I believe the key is found in the Word, TRUTH…

There are many facts that exist in the lives of others, but what is the TRUTH of God’s Word for them; what does God say about them? When we, in love, express to others what God’s Word says about them, that they are:

·Fearfully and wonderfully made… (Psalm 139:14)

·Created in the very image of God… (Genesis 1:27)

·Created to do good works… (Ephesians 2:10)

…Then we instill faith in their hearts that they can be overcomers in every area of life. We side with what God says, what His Word says, and not what the Enemy has determined for their lives—failure, defeat, and utter ruin. We are on the same team! Going in the same direction!

We are members of one another—when my sister or brother grows strong in the Lord and in the power of His might, then they, in turn, can strengthen me in my low moments. We become a powerful force, the Church Triumphant, thwarting all attacks of the Enemy against us!

But what if a brother or sister is in sin? Are we just to ignore it, pat them on the back, and say “It’s all good”?? Again, those may be the present facts regarding their situation, but we can speak what God’s Word says about them in prayer—praying that they will “come to repentance to the acknowledging of the truth…” (2 Timothy 2:24-26). And then if God should open the door to speak into their lives to go in humility with an attitude of faith that they were created for more. Here is our instruction:

2 Timothy 2:24-26 NKJV - And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do His will.

Let us increase in maturity, speaking the Truth in love and therefore “grow up in Him”…

Reflections & Application:

1. Ponder the questions above. Ask yourself, “Am I guilty of being immature in any of these areas?”

2. Think of some other verses than the ones listed that help you identify with who God says you are, and what God says you have. Spend some time thinking of what God’s Word says about you, seeing yourself as He sees you.

3. Practice exhorting the ones you come in contact with today by telling them what God says about them.