Mature in Christ

For what purpose does the messenger of God toil? Paul answers this question directly in verse 28 – “that we may present everyone mature in Christ”. For this, Paul says, “I toil, struggling with all His energy that He powerfully works within me”.
We know that we are filled with the same Spirit that urged Paul into ministry. Of course, our efforts may manifest in different ways, but the source remains the same: The Lord’s energy, “that He powerfully works within” us.
The Church is called to labor for the maturity of believers, preparing them to be presented mature in Christ. How is the Church to do this? Again, we look to verse 28 for our answer: “proclaim”; further, we “warn” and “teach”.
We proclaim Christ and Him crucified – “the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints”. As Paul reminds us in Romans 10, “How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in Him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent?” Friends, proclaim!
We warn – this present world is passing away. Again, Paul puts it succinctly in Romans 14: “We will all stand before the judgment seat of God; for it is written, ‘As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.’ So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.” Let us not do our brethren the disservice of shying away from the sometimes-uncomfortable responsibility that we have of warning each other regarding the dire consequences of falling away from the faith.
We teach – and we do so “with all wisdom”. The expositor Matthew Henry exegetes these words as follows: “We must choose the fittest seasons, and use the likeliest means, and accommodate ourselves to the different circumstances and capacities of [all people], and teach them as they are able to bear.” The “gentleness and respect” that Peter speaks of in 1 Peter 3:15 comes to mind here – for what good is knowledge if it is not tempered by and communicated with love?
These actions are inseparable: our proclamation of Christ takes concrete form through wise admonition and teaching. As a church, let us embody proclamation through admonition and teaching, as we look forward to the coming marriage supper of the Lamb.
- Kidus Kebede

[ EXAMINE ] the passage. At this point, answer some questions about the meaning of the text. Take time to reflect.
+ What does it mean to be a “mature” believer?
+ What does Paul mean when he says that he is “filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church”?

[ APPLY ] the passage to your own life.
+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ Do you “proclaim” regularly? Asked differently – do you make an effort to warn and teach those around you in all wisdom?
+ Do you have someone in your life – a more mature believer – that warns and teaches you? Do you have someone in your life that you lean on for wise counsel and accountability?

[ PRAY ] through the passage and your application, and ask God to change your heart and your life.
+ Pray with me:
Father, we are Yours. You call us your own; adopted in Christ, and united in His Body. Help us support each other in the maturity of our faith, that we may be presented to you as “the spirits of the righteous made perfect”. In our Savior Christ’s name we pray – Amen.

[ SHARE ] what God is teaching you with at least one person: your roommate,
your spouse, your kids, or your coworkers. Don’t keep what God taught you to
yourself.
(e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join a community group at downtownhope.org/community-groups)
yourself:
+ Talk today’s message over with someone who is discipling you, and someone you are discipling.