So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Ephesians 4:11-14(NIV)
How can I operate in mountain moving, dead raising faith? What’s the secret to enjoying all of heaven’s blessings? How can I get along with people? What are the steps to a victorious godly life? What are the keys to a healthy successful, blessed prosperous life, marriage, family, ministry, career, business? All these and other similar questions of the how to of everything that pertains to life are answered in one simple statement – spiritual maturity.
Our scripture text has told us that becoming mature is attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Ephesians 4:13. This means being Christ like. Because all the fullness of God dwells in Christ – Colossians 2:9. Therefore to be Christ like is to be filled full with all the fullness of God! That is all that God is and has. Now that’s completeness, that’s maturity!
Spiritual maturity is being Christ like. How do we live Christ like? How do we live the Christ life? By looking to Him and then imitating him. Jesus says to us, This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. John 15:12
He gave us an illustration:
After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. John 13:12-15.
How do we look to Jesus and imitate him? By looking into His Word.
It is the Word that unveils Christ in us enabling us to live Christ like, to live and walk spiritually mature. It is the Word that builds us up, making us grow. Acts 20:32; 1Peter 2:2.
Therefore, the key to completeness and fulfillment in all things is spiritual maturity which is being Christ like. Spiritual maturity or being Christ is a result of the Word building us up causing us to grow.