Re:Verse passage – Ephesians 4:11-16 (day six)
13 This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. Ephesians 4:13
What if Paul is NOT addressing each individual but the body? What if by “full and complete standard of Christ” he is referring to the maturity of a united community of believers? In their unique giftedness, mutual strengthening, and pursuit of unity, they present to the world the “complete standard of Christ?” (Is this what Jesus means in John 17:21-23?)
We in the Western world automatically assume (always) that Paul is addressing the individual, but what if he is not? If this is true, then this places a superior value on the maturity of the body (the individual parts all connected and growing together) over the maturity of the individual believer.
If this is true and we take it seriously, it will change how we do church. Think about it.
Thanks for this reminder. It is a growing concern that currently many churches are loosing ground and members. If only we would ALL work together in unity as you described, we would meet more needs. Believers of the JESUS WAY have work to do.
Thank you Danny for the challenge.
Ruth