Everett Henes: The maturing Christian

Children are wonderful. From their infancy through those childhood years, they can provide much joy. They can also bring frustration, but let’s focus on the joy they bring. Children are wonderful, in part, because they don’t remain children forever. They grow up, learning about the world and themselves. As wonderful as children are, it would be shocking if they didn’t grow up. We want to see children grow and mature in every way.

In the bustling city of Ephesus, the Apostle Paul's words echo through time, addressing a crucial aspect of the Christian journey — maturity in unity. Imagine standing amidst a diverse congregation, grappling with the challenges of discernment, steadfastness, and collective growth. Paul's insights, drawn from the dynamics of children and adults, unveil a profound truth: while childlike faith is vital, a different kind of maturity underpins biblical unity.

In Ephesians 4:13-16, Paul writes, “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, 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, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.”

Paul underscores three pillars of maturity that fortify biblical unity. The first is stability in doctrine. Paul warns against being tossed by waves of deceptive doctrines, emphasizing the enduring relevance of this concern. In a world saturated with diverse theological perspectives, the call to learn sound doctrine from Scripture remains imperative. The reluctance to delve into doctrine, often dismissed for a focus on "relationship over religion," exposes the church to the peril of drifting away. For biblical unity, the hard work of understanding and defending right doctrine is non-negotiable.

After 2,000 years of discussion, debate, and schism, the church is just as susceptible to false doctrines — maybe even more so. As I talk with people and their view of God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit and salvation I am always reminded that we need to learn right doctrine. This is the best way to defend against the false teachings that can creep in. And "creep" is what they do.

This is because this generation of Christians do not want to get bogged down with doctrine — it’s about a "relationship not religion"; it’s about "Christ not a creed." This has caused many churches to become unhooked from sound doctrine and to drift away into wherever the spiritual waves might take them. This is what Paul warns against — we are to do the hard work of learning sound doctrine from scripture. I know it is hard work — I know that historic theology is not the most fun thing to read. But it is necessary to be faithful to our call as Christians and it is necessary to grow in our understanding and in our faith.

The second focus for Paul is stability in the church. Extending the analogy of the body, Paul envisions a harmonious functioning where each part contributes to the well-being of the whole. The health of the church, like a well-functioning body, depends on every member doing their part. The observable stability emerges when the body operates as designed, mirroring the stability brought by sound doctrine to an individual believer's life.

Lastly, Paul highlights growing in the faith. Maturity in unity catalyzes growth in the faith as all members actively contribute. The body, functioning harmoniously, builds itself up in love. While perfection remains elusive, the pursuit of love, collaboration, and edification becomes the shared goal. Paul's words resonate as a compelling reminder of our responsibilities to one another, urging us to walk in a manner worthy of our divine calling.

In a world where spiritual waves threaten to lead astray, Paul's exhortation stands as a timeless guide. The journey toward maturity in unity involves a commitment to sound doctrine, active participation in the church's well-being, and an unwavering pursuit of love and growth in the faith. As we navigate our roles in God's grand design, let Paul's words echo in our hearts, urging us to walk faithfully in response to the divine call.

— Pastor Everett Henes, the pastor of the Hillsdale Orthodox Presbyterian Church, can be reached at pastorhenes@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Everett Henes: The maturing Christian