13… until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. 14 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming…
Already, not yet—that is the way of describing the intersection of eternity with time. From God’s perspective, the body of believers is one body, there is unity—this is the “already” aspect of the truth. As we go through time, this is being worked out daily in the life of the Church—this is the “not yet” side of things. Both are true. From the perspective of Him who dwells in eternity (Deut 33:27, 1 Tim 1:17, 6:16) we are a Church united, perfect and sanctified. As we go through time, we are moving toward that goal.
The task in front of us is the unity of faith. The Lord knows the constant divisions among Christians. The multiplicity of denominations and disunity within denominations and movements grieves Him. However, the answer is not found in an ecumenism based the lowest common denominator around which to unify. Unity must focus on truth (knowledge) and maturity that leads to the “fullness of Christ.” Paul emphasized sound doctrine repeatedly. The truth is absolutely central.
Division in the church is inevitable if outward Christendom or organizational structures are involved. The truth may result in, indeed justify, division if the alternative is compromise. Paul was adamant to the Ephesian elders in his farewell speech, “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.” (Acts 20:28-30). Unity does not trump sound doctrine.
Maturity means not being wishy-washy in one’s core beliefs. But, believers working together, as directed by the Holy Spirit, being equipped by the evangelists and pastor-teachers, help each other grow to maturity in Christlikeness as we all use our spiritual gifts. We are committed to the Lord and to each other—this is essential to become all that Christ saves us to be.
We need to know and understand sound doctrine, so that we may know Christ more intimately, growing into maturity in Him—together in unity.
Lord, thank You for making us one. Now, let us act out the truth of that so we may be considered to be walking worthy of our calling in Christ.
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