A reflection on Ephesians 4:14-16.
Have you ever felt tossed around by life—uncertain, confused, maybe even discouraged in your faith? You’re not alone. The Apostle Paul knew that spiritual instability was a real danger for believers, especially when they lacked maturity and clarity in Christ. In Ephesians 4:14–16 (NLT), he offers a powerful vision for how the church can grow stronger together, becoming more like Christ: “Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching… Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. He makes the whole body fit together perfectly…”
This is not just a call to know more—it’s a call to grow more. I’d like to explore three key markers of spiritual maturity from this passage: awareness and repentance, growth through joy and struggle, and trust in Christ’s sovereignty.
Maturity Begins with Awareness and Repentance
Paul contrasts maturity with immaturity, using the image of children being “tossed and blown about.” Spiritually immature believers are easily misled by clever distortions of truth. But growing in Christ means becoming more discerning—and more honest about our own sin.
Growth starts with a heart that’s sensitive to sin and quick to repent. 1 John 1:9 (NLT) reminds us: “But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us…” This isn’t a one-time event—it’s a daily posture. Maturity doesn’t mean never failing; it means responding to failure with humility and a return to grace.
Repentance is also tied to how we treat others. Paul says, “Speak the truth in love.” Truth without love is harsh; love without truth is hollow. Mature believers offer both—gently calling out sin while always pointing others back to Jesus.
Growth Comes Through Both Joy and Struggle
Another sign of maturity is learning to see trials not as interruptions, but as instruments of growth. Paul writes that “each part does its own special work… so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.” That “special work” often includes enduring challenges.
James puts it this way: “When troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy” (James 1:2–4, NLT). Struggle produces endurance. And as endurance develops, so does our character—and our joy.
This joy is not a shallow emotion. It’s a resilient assurance that God is with us in the fire. We begin to understand that every hardship is filtered through His hands. As Romans 8:28 (NLT) assures us: “God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God…”
Mature believers don’t deny their pain—they bring it to Christ and find joy even there.
Christ Is the Head—and the Gatekeeper
Finally, Paul centers all growth in Christ, who is “the head of his body, the church.” Maturity means recognizing who’s in charge—and trusting Him completely.
We don’t grow alone or by our own strength. Christ makes the whole body fit together. He allows experiences—both joyful and painful—to shape us. He is the sovereign gatekeeper of our growth.
This doesn’t mean life will always make sense. But it means we can rest in the truth that God is forming us for His glory and our good. Philippians 1:6 (NLT) offers this encouragement: “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished…”
Growing Together
Spiritual growth isn’t a solo journey. It’s something we do in community, as part of Christ’s body. When we confess our sins, endure trials with joy, and trust in God’s plan, we don’t just grow personally—we help others grow too.
So ask yourself today:
• Where do I need to grow in awareness and repentance?
• How might God be using my current struggles to build endurance?
• Am I trusting Christ to lead, or trying to take control?As we follow Paul’s call in Ephesians 4, we’ll find ourselves growing “in every way more and more like Christ.” And in doing so, we’ll help the body become stronger, healthier, and more full of love.
Blessings on you and yours,
Jim Black
P.S. if you’d like to read previous ruminations of mine they can be found at https://www.salvationarmyconcordca.org/chronicle/?category=Bible%20Study