Short

“It’s impossible!” Ever read something in the Bible that makes you say that? I’m not talking about something miraculous—which by definition is God’s power doing something that ordinarily would be impossible. I’m talking about it presenting a requirement or expectation that we can’t possibly meet. A prime example: Jesus commands, “You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48) Impossible!

Here’s another one, from the apostle Paul. He talks about the gifts given to leaders,

“…to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:12-13)

Well, that’s the leaders, right? Look more closely. The gifts given to the apostles and other leaders are not for themselves. These leaders are to utilize the gifts “to equip the saints” and “build up the body of Christ”. That’s us! The expectation is that “we all” will therefore attain unity, faith, and knowledge of the Son of God. Okay, that may be difficult (especially the unity part), but it seems a fair expectation. Here’s the kicker. This should result in us growing “to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.”

Read that again. We’re supposed to grow up to be as tall as Jesus is, spiritually. I don’t know about you, but I feel pretty short. Growing to be as tall as Christ? Impossible.

Maybe he means it collectively, that the body as a whole will grow up to full maturity. I think a case can be made for applying it in that way. But what Paul goes on to say is surely to all of us as individuals. The verses I quoted actually end in a comma, and the sentence goes on:

…so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ. (verses 14-15)

It’s we as individuals that are prone to being tossed to and fro, taken in by human cunning. And it’s us as individuals that he urges to speak the truth in love. And (here it is) grow up.

Seems hopelessly out of our reach. How can he expect we’ll grow up to be as tall as Jesus? Even with the guidance of the apostles—which we do still have in what they wrote down for building us up.

The key word here, perhaps, is “children”. Of course, the children aren’t as tall as the grownup. I’m short, because I’m a child. As I should be: “Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” (Luke 18:17)

But then, Paul does convey the expectation that we’ll grow up, no longer be children.

Paul clearly didn’t write this to discourage us—the whole passage is about encouragement and upbuilding. So what should we take away here?

It’s evident that I’m not as spiritually full grown as Jesus. But that doesn’t mean I should say, “I can’t ever grow to be that tall, so I’ll just be content with being short,” and stop growing. Instead, I believe what we’re supposed to conclude is, “I look up to Jesus, he’s so much taller. But I want to grow up to be like him. I’m still growing, and I’ll do everything I can to keep on growing.”

Love, Paul