Scripture Reference: Ephesians 4:1-16
Unity is Married to Maturity
Please read Ephesians 4:13-16 for the background to this section.
Up to this point we have been sharing about the responsibility that every member has in living for the welfare of the body and what happens as a result. Something else that happens is that the body comes to a common understanding of the faith. As we have seen in the previous section, the different spiritual gifts do not divide the body, but unite it. Each one of them contributes something to the body’s knowledge of the Son of God. Therefore, the church grows spiritually. It leaves behind childhood and presses forward towards maturity. The image on which it is modelling itself, and into which it is being shaped, is that of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. The church never loses sight of this ideal, and should be constantly working towards it and feels it cannot be satisfied with anything less than perfection, “the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.”
Look how Paul expresses his desires that the Ephesians “should no longer be children.” With immaturity comes gullibility. Infants are easily taken in or tricked and, sadly, there are too many wicked people waiting to prey on them. If they were more mature they would not be so easily deceived. Paul has in mind the false teachers of whom we were speaking about a little earlier. For the most part, infantile minds believe whatever is told to them and most assuredly if it sounds like truth. Their opinions are decided by the external influences which surround them. Blown about in all directions, they have no settled convictions of their own. Wherever there is restlessness there is discord. There can be no unity where there is not a common mind. Unity is married to maturity.
No church needs to or even should remain in such a mess. There is a way out of this confusion and disarray. It starts by every person in the church speaking to every other person in the church. They are to speak the truth to each other. No doubt Paul has primarily the truth of the gospel in mind, but his words have a wider reference as well. Every word spoken is inspired by love; nobody is seeking his own interests, but the welfare of all those within the church family.
Where nothing but truth is spoken and only love reigns, spiritual growth takes place there. Out of concern for others, each person passes on what they themself knows of God’s Word and ways. In this way no area of spiritual life is left untouched. The process of conformity to Christ goes on progressively, step by step, and His headship over the body becomes an experienced fact.
To Be Continued
FOR THE LOVE OF GOD 
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