This last week, I read day thirty-three of our On Purpose study, and the phrase “measure of stature” from Ephesians 4:12-16 was unpacked. It made me go to my basement, where we have our three children’s marks on the wall to measure their height the last few years. It is truly a blessing and excellent to see your kids grow in front of your eyes. (Always way too fast.)
Ephesians 4:12to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
The connection between Day 33 and our reading for today in Romans 5-7 is that Paul reminds us how we are saved from our sinful nature. Paul goes on to remind us of how we should live once we have been saved. Now for me, that divine transaction occurred back in May of 2014. The physical showing of surrendering my will for His. I wish I could say that from that point forward, I was submitting to Him daily. I have had mountain top experiences and many valleys. The reminder for me in today’s readings is that this transformation does not equal perfection. Our transformation is a lifelong process until He decides the day He will bring me to my eternal home.
I had a recent conversation with a colleague about our physical life: she recently went to the Dr where they said she had a heart problem. We talked about the shortness of life and God’s timing/purpose for everything. While this conversation was sad, it helped me remember the importance of how we live every day.
I know and understand that more important than their physical growth is their spiritual growth. For myself, I know that my spiritual growth will have an impact on others as well. Paul embarks on an excellent discussion of the doctrine of salvation by grace through the work of Jesus.
Romans 5:10 For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11 Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
It is exciting to see my kids when they stand against that wall. Making a mark and showing them where they were and where they are today is incredible. How much more awesome will it be as we grow daily closer to God? What if I stood against that wall and measured my spiritual growth? Where would I be? Have I grown? Like I tell my children what it takes to grow physically, do I equally or more stress the importance of consuming what it takes to grow spiritually?
I know my recent measures are not where they need to be. Where would a measure look like for you today? I can make excuses about things that can get in the way, or I can grow closer to Him each day.
Romas 6: 1What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2 By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?