It’s Time to Grow Up
Scripture:
14: 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.
15: Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of Him who is the head, that is, Christ.
16: From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
Ephesians 4 (NIV)
1: Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children
2: and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Ephesians 5 (NIV)
All people are in the process of growing—if they are healthy, that is. Healthy things grow up.
But what happens when a person does not grow up? Such a person becomes unstable, like a ship at sea, out of control on the ocean. They believe anyone’s version of the truth, assume they are not responsible for sin, and become easy targets for devious manipulators. It is a frightening picture of the possible fate of a child of God.
Yet it does not have to be that way. Believers can grow up. They can listen to the truth, love it, live it, and speak it in love. They can grow by following Jesus’ example, for He is the head of the body. His breath and blood flow through His people, nourishing them so that they grow healthy in God, full of love. Spiritual strength and direction come from the Lord when one chooses God’s way of living.
If they do not, their lives become foolish, futile, and empty. Those who live without Jesus convince themselves that sin brings satisfaction. They walk away from God, unaware of what they are missing. Unable to discern right from wrong and unwilling to care, they spiral deeper into sin without a desire to turn back.
Can anything change their direction? Yes—if they listen to Jesus, hear His words, and respond in faith. The saved person listens and follows Him. The unsaved person goes their own way.
When a believer puts on “the new man” in Christ Jesus, it is as though they change clothes. The dirty garments are cast off, and new, clean ones are put on. The Lord gives His robe of righteousness, and the believer is in Christ, seated in the heavenlies. Their walk on earth should reflect their heavenly position.
The Spirit helps them live by a new set of orders. Paul’s list begins in verse 17 of Ephesians 4, with instructions to walk no longer as the Gentiles walk. Now, additional practical details are given:
They must be done with lying and instead speak the truth, for truth would resolve most problems in the average church today.
They may be angry about some things, such as the battle for truth, but when wrongs are corrected, they must not harbor animosity. Forgiveness must replace hatred, for harboring sinful feelings gives the devil an advantage.
They must stop stealing. Human hearts are naturally tempted to take what is not theirs. Instead, they should work hard—not merely for personal gain but to help others with the surplus.
Their words reveal their hearts. Believers’ speech should instruct and encourage others.
Offenses like these grieve the Holy Spirit and break fellowship with Him. Some Christians live with a grieved Spirit, while others live with a Spirit fully alive and active within them. This is a precious and intimate part of the new life in Christ. Believers should not live a single day without Him.
The Holy Spirit is also grieved by:
Bitterness – irritability that produces harsh, critical opinions of others.
Wrath and anger – outbursts of passion. Wrath is intense; anger is chronic.
Clamor – the bold assertion of supposed rights and grievances.
Slander and malice – concealed hatred that emerges in words.
These must be put away once and for all.
When a person becomes new in Christ, a radical change takes place to fill the void left by sin. What pleases the Lord is this:
Showing kindness to one another.
Being tenderhearted—marked by deep and calming affection, like those believers who greet others with warm embraces and encouragement.
Forgiving each other—bearing faults in stride and doing so quickly and completely, just as God in Christ has forgiven. Forgiveness is given based on grace because Christ died for all.
This is the truly wonderful way to live.
Excerpted from Thru the Bible – Ephesians by J. Vernon McGee
Prayer:
Father, thank You for making us new in You by the blood of Christ. Give us the strength every day to walk in that newness of life, honoring You and loving others as You have commanded. We owe You our best, as we are living examples of You on the earth. Help our love for You be stronger than our love of self, so that we continually kill the old man and nurture the new man in us. Thank You, Lord, for making us new in You. We are ready to grow up! In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection:
“Spiritual maturity is not reached by the passing of the years, but by obedience to the will of God.” Oswald Chambers