Proper 13: Epistle, Ephesians 4:1-16                                      

Ephesians 4:1-16

How very different the kingdom of the world is from the Kingdom of our God. Motivations, methods, and goals are worlds apart. I remember encountering Jesus in prayer in John 17 where He says to His Father that neither He, nor His followers are of the world.

In this marvelous passage, the apostle Paul focuses the people of God on their primary tasks as we walk day to day under the Lordship of Christ. The unity of the faithful, the right use of God’s gifts, and growth to maturity are all big issues in the life of the Christian. It’s the last of these three upon which I want to help you meditate today.

Every task has its end and every race its finish line. Unity, giftedness, and maturity come to us, it is Paul’s hope, as we all attain “the stature of the fullness of Christ” (Eph. 4:13b). As Paul sets out this life-pursuit before the believers in Ephesus, it is easy to read over the words with an “Oh, isn’t that nice” approach. That is NOT what Paul is after. And I am sure that Paul’s hope was that his readers would be completely taken aback by the goal he places in view: the fullness of Christ.

Reread the passage before us. It is no easy-peasy trek to which our lives are given. God has invested His Son, and all the gifts He musters to bring us to this fullness of Jesus. Paul isn’t arguing that we should aim at being God. No. But he is pressing the Ephesians, and by extension, us, to allow the life of Jesus full access to our hearts, minds, and lives. To what end? That Christ Jesus would be fully expressed in our lives. That the Father’s name would be hallowed, His Kingdom come, and His will be done completely and soon.

The fullness of Christ is not an option for the believer in Jesus. God will see to that.