“GROW UP!”

Ephesians 4:7-16                                  (ESV)

“7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of CHRIST’S gift.

8 Therefore it says, "When HE ascended on high HE led a host of captives, and HE GAVE GIFTS TO MEN." 

9 (In saying, "HE ascended," what does it mean but that HE had also descended into the lower regions, the earth?

10 HE who descended is the ONE who also ascended far above all the heavens, that HE might fill all things.)

11 And HE gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers,

12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of CHRIST,

13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the SON of GOD, to MATURE MANHOOD, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of CHRIST,

14 so THAT WE MAY NO LONGER BE CHILDREN, TOSSED TO AND FRO by the waves and carried about by EVERY WIND of DOCTRINE, by human cunning, by craftiness in DECEITFUL SCHEMES.

15 Rather, speaking the TRUTH in LOVE, we are to “GROW UP” in every way into HIM WHO is the head, into CHRIST,

16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.”

Digging a well takes precision, especially digging an oil well.  However, digging for ancient artifacts requires tedious requires slow and painstakingly tedious examination of the area being scoured for in an attempt to glean a nugget of WORTH from the soil!  “Ancient Digs” have been known to last for month, even years, depending on their importance.  Some people invest far more money than one can imagine trying to find the mystery they are looking for.  

Many people want others to think they are “Believers”, yet they display very little, if any, evidence of MATURE MANHOOD.  Our physical bodies require nourishment and exercise to mature into adulthood.  Without proper nutrition, a person’s growth will not be what it should, and without exercise a person will not be a strong when strength is needed.  Our Spiritual beings are no different.  We can’t expect to grow Spiritually when we aren’t feeding ourselves the WORD OF GOD.  And without exercising our FAITH we won’t develop the Spiritual strength needed to see us through “the valleys of the shadow of death”.  

So often people, myself included, react to a trial or difficulty with fear and doubt instead of PEACE and ASSURANCE.  Exhibiting a certain amount of pain can be understood, but when we can’t let the pain go we are acting as though GOD is either not in control, or HE doesn’t know what HE is doing!  Losing a family member is a prime example.  My FAITH has grown tremendously after having a family member precede me into Glory.  But I am not wise enough to assist ALMIGHTY GOD with decisions such as when someone is required at the Throne!  

We need to “GROW UP” Spiritually, not only for our good, but so others can SEE JESUS living through our lives.  We don’t need to be swayed by EVERY WIND of DOCTRINE and DECEITFUL SCHEME that comes along.  Spending time in GOD’S WORD and becoming intimate with HIM through FAITH exercises is the only way to Spiritually “GROW UP” into MATURE MANHOOD!  The reward for this excursion will be great, so we need to prepare for a large investment, so we must spend appropriate time ingesting the nutrition to develop where we can be used for HIS Glory!  It will take more than reading HIS Word and praying for 10 minutes per day, IF WE WANT TO “GROW UP”!!!