Tag: Maturity in Christ

Maturity Is Reaching the Fullness of Christ (Fri. May 26)

· Fr. Basil
The word of the day is “fullness.” Most of us would admit that our relationship with the Lord is still maturing. Yet, in our reading of Acts 19:1-18, we find a faith that is not only immature but incomplete in its basic understandings. In Ephesus, Paul encounters a group of disciples. But he finds their belief incomplete. He asks, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed” (vs. 2)? They reply, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit” (OSB vs. 2). Today, from the example of these followers and Paul’s teaching, we learn that our goal should be the maturity of the “fullness” of the Body of Christ of which we are members. John the…

The Mature Have a Compass: Thurs. Oct. 1

· Fr. Basil
The word of the day is “truth.”  In today’s reading of Ephesians 4:14-19, St. Paul speaks about maturity in Christ.  The Apostle recognizes that the  Ephesians are being “built up” as the Body of Christ (vs. 12).  By the spiritual gifts of ministry, they are advancing toward the “unity of faith and the [full and perfect l] knowledge of the Son of God” (vs. 13). Becoming Full Grown in Christ When they reach the standard of the “fullness of Christ,” they will become full-grown and complete (vs. 13; Strong’s 5046, 248). To attain this end, St. Paul advises that they should “no longer be children tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine…”  (vs. 14). Rather they…