What’s the End Goal?
What’s the
End Goal?
I remember my pastor telling me as a teenager that we tend to disciple others the way that we were discipled. Unfortunately, many of us, after placing our faith in Jesus as our Lord and Savior just had to figure it out. Even when discipled, the end goal was vague if not unappealing. Although I had many wonderful, godly people in my young life as a believer, I often struggled to know if I was truly growing in Christ. So, it has been on my heart to help you know where you are in your walk with Christ and to help you know how to mature in him. This week, we are reading Colossians in our Bible Reading Plan. There, Paul gives us great insight into this process of maturity in Colossians 1:24-2:5.
Maturity in Christ happens through the growing knowledge and understanding of Scripture:
Paul's stewardship is that of the gospel, the word of God, that it would be fully known. He knew that others could not mature in Christ if they are ignorant of what the word of God says. This is why regular, daily Bible reading and study are crucial to our maturity in Christ.
Maturity in Christ happens when others are laboring in the gospel on our behalf:
There is a man in a prison, wrestling in prayer for the believers in Colossians. He is physically suffering for the sake of Christ's body, the church. The believers in Colossae have Paul suffering on behalf of the maturing of Christ's people. Jesus suffered and died to bring men into fellowship with God. Now, Paul is suffering and facing death for preaching the gospel, in order that those believers would grow in their understanding of the mystery of Christ in them, the hope of glory (1:27). His suffering is for their maturity. Who, in your life, suffers (labors) for your maturity in Christ?
Maturity in Christ happens when we being knit together in love with other believers:
There is a group of people that have heard the gospel preached, responded to it in faith and are challenged to love one another. In fact Paul says that his sufferings, even for those he's not yet met are to encourage their hearts, being knit together in love (2:2a). This is the church. Hearers of the gospel who've responded and are now being knit together in love. But encouragement and love are not the end goal. Paul says, "to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ" (2:2b)
Maturity in Christ is seen in good order and firmness of faith.
Like sugar, laziness and greasy foods, our maturity and growth can be compromised. What is threatening the Colossians is what Paul calls "plausible arguments" (2:4). These are words that make a lot of sense when measured by the standards of wisdom set by the world or present culture. Make no mistake, these "enticing words" are being spoken all around us. However, any message absent of Christ must take his centrality into account and be seen in light of the reality of Jesus Christ.
There is a Christian life that is good and orderly (2:5). For the spontaneous and creative this can seem restricting, but Paul mentions this phrase at least twice in his writings to the churches. Life together in Christ is orderly, not determined by whims or fancies as the seasons of the souls of individuals are carried along by life. Nope. Rather, there is a way in which life is to be lived in community with other believers. More than participation, it is the cooperative pursuit of Christ that continually firms up our faith in Christ.
My heart's desire echoes Paul's: to present everyone mature in Christ (1:28). Like him I am rejoicing (2:5) at the maturity I am seeing in you. For my part as your pastor, I hope to suffer for the preaching of Christ in any way He determines is best, for your sake. I'll continue to pray for you. As we endeavor on this journey together of maturity in Christ, may these realities deepen our love for Jesus and our love for one another, until that Day.
Who knows you well enough Here and Now to say that they have seen particular ways that you've matured in Christ?
Looking at the marks of maturity above, what do you need to address in your life? Who could you talk to about that?
Love you guys,
Loren