Are You Reaching the Stature That Belongs to Christ?

"Attain . . .the measure of stature that belongs to the fullness of the Christ." -EPHESIANS 4:13. 

WHEN an experienced housewife selects fresh fruit at the market, she does not always choose the biggest pieces or the least expensive ones.  Rather, she looks for items that are ripe. She wants the fruit that has good taste and aroma and that  offers healthy nutrients.  Yes, she selects fruit that has reached a full state of growth, that is mature. 

After a person has progressed to dedication and baptism, he continues to grow.  His goal is to become a mature servant of God.  The maturity we are speaking of is not physical but spiritual.  The apostle Paul wrote of the need for Christians in Ephesus to grow spiritually.  He encouraged them to reach out to "attain to the oneness of faith and of the accurate knowledge of the Son of God, to being a full-grown man, attaining the measure of stature that belongs to the fullness of the Christ. -Ephesians 4:13

When Paul wrote his letter, the congregation in Ephesus  had already existed for some years.  Many disciples there had reached a high level of spiritual development.   Some, however, still needed to press on to maturity.  The situation among Jehovah's Witnesses today is much the same.  Many brothers and sisters  have long served God and have advanced  to spiritual maturity. But obviously   not all are at that point.  For example, thousands of new ones are baptized each year, so some still need to strive for maturity.  What about you? Colossians 2:6, 7. 

Next time: Are You Reaching the Stature That Belongs to Christ -CHRISTIAN GROWTH

From the Watchtower magazine