Read: Ephesians 4:1–16
Christian maturity is not just a suggestion; it’s something we are called to. God wants us to grow in every way, becoming more like Christ, with help from other believers and the power of the Spirit.
If you’ve seen a toddler insist on doing something “all by myself,” you know how strong our desire is to grow and become capable. That desire doesn’t stop when we become adults. In the Christian life, it’s really just the start. The Apostle Paul, in Ephesians 4:1–16, reminds us that growing in our faith is not just a suggestion; it’s something we are called to.
Paul describes the Christian life as a journey toward maturity, becoming more like Jesus. Just as we expect a healthy child to grow, we should expect spiritual growth in a healthy Christian. But spiritual growth doesn’t happen on its own. It takes intention, commitment, and trust in God.
Let’s explore three essential truths from Ephesians 4 about our development in the faith.
1. The Goal of Growth – Conformity to Christ
Christian maturity is not about just improving ourselves. It’s about becoming more like Christ. Paul says we are to “grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ” (v. 15). That is our standard and our goal.
God does not want us to stay spiritual infants, vulnerable to false teaching, easily influenced, and focused on ourselves. He wants us to grow into the fullness of Christ, showing His character, love, humility, and purpose.
This growth is not just personal; it’s also something we do together. Paul points out that the whole church is growing up into Christ as one body. Each of us has a part to play and room to grow. The goal is not to compare ourselves to others, but to become more like Christ.
2. The Means of Growth – The Word, Community, and Spirit
How do we grow? Paul highlights a few key ways in Ephesians 4.
First, we grow through the Word of God. Verse 11 mentions leaders such as apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers who help the church by teaching the truth. The Word is the foundation for maturity. Without it, we are easily influenced by the world. With it, we become steady and wise.
Second, we grow through the community of believers. “From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love” (v. 16). We are not meant to grow alone. Spiritual maturity happens best in relationships, through encouragement, accountability, service, and love.
Third, we grow through the power of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is not named directly in this passage, but His work is seen throughout Ephesians. In 3:16, Paul prays that believers will be strengthened by the Spirit’s power. The Spirit helps us understand the Word, shows us where we need to change, and gives us strength to live holy lives. Growth is not just about our own effort; it is about letting the Spirit change us.
3. The Marks of Growth – Unity, Knowledge, and Love
How can you tell if you’re growing? Paul points to several markers of spiritual development.
One sign is unity. “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (v. 3). Maturity does not cause division; it brings deeper unity in the body of Christ. A growing Christian values harmony, reconciliation, and peace.
Another mark is knowledge of the Son of God (v. 13). This isn’t just intellectual knowledge—it’s relational. Mature believers hunger to know Jesus more deeply. They seek His heart, His mind, and His ways.
Finally, maturity is shown by love. We speak the truth in love and build each other up in love. Love is not optional; it is the main sign of a Christlike life. As we grow in Christ, we become more patient, kind, forgiving, and willing to give of ourselves, just like Him.
The Next Step: Commit to Grow
So what do we do with all of this? Paul urges us in verse 1 to “live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” That begins with a choice—to take our spiritual development seriously.
You might ask yourself:
Am I actively pursuing growth, or am I coasting?
Am I committed to a church community where I can grow and help others grow?
Am I engaging with God’s Word and inviting the Holy Spirit to transform me?
Do unity, knowledge of Christ, and love mark my life?
The good news is that God is committed to our growth. Philippians 1:6 reminds us, “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion.” But He also invites us to partner with Him in the process. We can choose to cooperate with the Spirit, to open our hearts to His Word, and to live in authentic community.
Growing up takes effort. But in the Christian life, it is also a joyful journey. As we grow, we become more of who God made us to be, more like Jesus. We also start to experience the full life He promised.
So let’s take this call seriously. Let’s commit to growing, not just for ourselves, but for the body of Christ and for God’s glory. Let’s grow up together.