GROWTH IS NORMAL IN CHRIST JESUS

"But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ." (Ephesians 4:15)

Nearly everyone with a modicum of understanding knows that spiritual maturity is good, and that  growth in Christ is something important. However, the religious climate of our time has led people to perceive such growth as a sort of luxury instead of a necessity. The program of the average church confirms that growing up into Christ is really not essential. There are too much novelty, distraction, and  trivia present – too little of the Word of God, teaching, expounding, and exhortation. As a rule, professed believers are too uninformed, too uninvolved, and too occupied with things that are perishing. They are not conversant with things pertaining to life and godliness, and their spiritual appetites are too small. In the words of James, "My brethren, these things ought not to be this way" NASB (James 3:10).
When Jesus was exalted, leading "captivity captive," He gave "gifts to men." They included "apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastors and teachers." The purpose for these gifts is clearly stated. There is no reason for any confusion on the matter: "for the perfecting of the saints." This included "edifying the body of Christ," coming into "the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God," being "no more children," and growing "up into Christ in all things" (Eph 4:12-15). There is no place for perpetual juvenility and spiritual childhood – none whatsoever. Nothing about salvation encourages and promotes spiritual immaturity, ignorance, weakness, or a lack of understanding – nothing. If these things continue to exist in professed believers, it is not because of Jesus. It is not because of the work of the Holy Spirit. It is not because of the working of the Word of the Lord. It is not because of prayer, or diligence, or purity, of an honest and good heart. Where these influences exist, it is not possible to fail to "grow up into Christ in all things." Christ's intercession promotes spiritual growth. The Holy Spirit is leading us in this holy activity. The holy angels are ministering with this in mind. The Word of God has been given to us for this purpose. The body of Christ contributes to this objective. In Christ Jesus, growth is normal – it is what happens when the Spirit is not grieved or quenched, when the Word is ingested, and when fellowship with Christ is realized. A weak, uninformed, and emaciated church is a gross abnormality. It is a sort of spiritual freak that is cavorting among men, bringing shame on the Lord Jesus and reproach to the Living God. If these kinds of churches are normal at any given time, then the times are "perilous," for where the "new man" is weak, the "old man" is strong. Where there is no growth, retrogression is inevitable (Heb 6:1-6).