I write about Stuff

“He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.” —Ephesians 4:16 NLT

When the church functions the way God designed it to, something remarkable happens. Not only do believers become unified—like the parts of a body working in harmony—but they also grow into spiritual maturity. Paul describes this maturity in Ephesians 4:14–15: believers who are no longer “tossed and blown about” by every new teaching, no longer vulnerable to clever lies that sound like truth. Instead, they speak the truth in love and grow to become more like Christ, the head of the church.

Spiritual maturity doesn’t happen overnight. It develops over time, through Scripture, community, and the work of the Holy Spirit. When I was a brand-new believer, I once asked Pastor Chuck Smith how long he had been a Christian. He said around fifty years. That number stunned me. I joked, “Does that make you an apostle now? Can you walk on water after fifty years?”

Of course, the answer was no. Time alone doesn’t make us perfect. Even after decades of following Jesus, I still have a long way to go. And so does every believer. There’s no shame in admitting that. In fact, the moment we think we’ve “arrived,” we’re in danger of stumbling.

Paul himself—arguably the most influential Christian in history—said, “No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it… but I press on” (Philippians 3:13–14 NLT). Even as he taught others how to grow, he acknowledged his own need to keep growing.

Spiritual maturity anchors us in the truth of Scripture. It protects us from false teachings and from people who twist God’s Word to suit their own agendas. It gives us discernment—an inner compass that helps us recognize what aligns with God’s heart and what doesn’t.

And spiritual maturity is deeply connected to spiritual unity. When believers walk closely with Christ, they naturally hold one another accountable. They speak the truth in love. They gently redirect one another when someone begins drifting down a questionable path. Unity creates accountability, and accountability strengthens unity.

This is how the body of Christ becomes “healthy and growing and full of love.” Each part doing its work. Each believer growing in truth. Each member helping the others mature. And Christ Himself holding it all together.

Question for reflection:

What does spiritual maturity look like in your life?