Seeing the forest around the trees

Ephesian's 4:9-16

Paul lays out why, after Jesus Christ ascended, he gave out gifts and what there purpose is. There is purpose is to build us up in unity, and knowledge towards maturity.

Paul's definition of maturity gives me marks to measure my life by. Am I attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ? He then goes on to add some descriptions of what that looks like. I must have the knowledge the measure the words of men, be able to speak the truth in love, and be growing up into the Head of the church, Jesus Christ. I begin to put together the character traits in the first couple of verses with what happens in the church. Many different gifts, ideas, and levels of maturity all mixed in together requires that we act with humility, gentleness, patience making every effort to keep the unity. In a place where diverse gifts are working together, and diverse levels of maturity interact it will require grace. It is very easy to be critical, to be short, and to be saddened at moments in this process. The antidote is to respond with the characteristics mentioned and keep the end sight in mind. We are growing into the fullness of Jesus Christ, and as we do our part this will be true for the entire body. It is great to keep that big picture in mind so that we don't get lost in the, at moments, ugly messy day to day process of this.