11　And He personally gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers,
12　for the training of the saints in the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ, 13　until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, [growing]  into a mature man with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness. 14　Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit. 15　But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into Him who is the head—Christ. 16　From Him the whole body, fitted and knit together by every supporting ligament, promotes the growth of the body for building up itself in love by the proper working of each individual part (Eph 4:11-16, HCSB).

The ultimate goal of our gifting and calling by God to serve Him in the church is the growth or maturity of the body. Is that your goal as an individual believer? Verses 13-16 describe what this goal of building up the body of Christ looks like.

The goal defined (v. 13): "until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, [growing] into a mature man with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness." Verse 13 answers the question, "How long will this continue?" Answer: Until we all reach the goal of unity, knowledge, and maturity as measured by Christ Himself. We are to come to complete conformity to Christ as the standard of perfection.

The Marks of Maturity

Verses 14-16 show us the results of attaining the goal of verse 13. First, we will be marked by Truth or doctrinal stability (v. 14): "Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit."

False doctrine is a hook God uses to draw false brethren away from the true church. Genuine believers are known for holding fast to the truth. There are many false teachers who use "human cunning and cleverness" to mislead and exploit people. Another version translates this phrase as: "ingenuity in inventing error" (Goodspeed). True believers do not "invent doctrine" but rather discover the doctrine of Scripture. Cleverness, novelty, and innovation in doctrine are not really things to celebrate in those who teach God’s Word. Faithfulness, clarity, and unity are traits to be praised.

Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ (Col 2:8, NKJV).

A second mark of maturity is Love (v. 15): "But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into Him who is the head—Christ." Also, in verse 16: "building up itself in love." The phrase "speaking the truth," can be translated "hold the truth," "follow the truth," "pursue the truth," "live in the truth." Also, "let our lives lovingly express truth in all things—speaking truly, dealing truly, living truly" (Amplified Bible). How committed are you to truth? Do others see you that way?

How committed are you to love? Do others see you that way?

What do you love? What do you love more than anything else? Henry Scougal wrote, "The worth and excellence of a soul is to be measured by the object of its love." You become like that which you love. Do you love Christ? Do you love Him enough to put His priorities and concerns before your own? Tell me what you love and I will tell you the condition of your heart and soul.

A third mark of maturity for the church is Service (v. 16): "From Him the whole body, fitted and knit together by every supporting ligament, promotes the growth of the body for building up itself in love by the proper working of each individual part."

As we draw our life from Christ our head, the body is nourished and strengthened. The body is seen as a unit, "fitted and knit together by every supporting ligament." How are you supporting the body? Are you joined to the body in such a way as to be supported yourself? This is how the church "promotes the growth of the body for building up itself in love." No member of the church is to be left out. We grow into maturity as a church "by the proper working of each individual part."

How should you serve God? How has God gifted you? What ministry has God placed on your heart? There is a place for you that God has uniquely prepared, gifted, and called you to serve.

This is a story about four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody. There was an important job to be done and Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did. Somebody got angry about that because it was Everybody's job. Everybody thought that Anybody could do it but Nobody realized that Everybody would not do it. It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done.