Moving Toward Maturity 迈向成熟
Dexu Xia
Become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Ephesians 4:13
A recent survey asked respondents to identify the age at which they believed they became adults. Those who considered themselves adults pointed to specific behaviors as evidence of their status. Having a budget and buying a house topped the list as being marks of “adulting.” Other adult activities ranged from cooking dinner every weeknight and scheduling one’s own medical appointments, to the more humorous ability to choose to eat snacks for dinner or being excited to stay at home on a Saturday evening instead of going out.
The Bible says we should press on toward spiritual maturity as well. Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus, urging the people to “become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13). While we’re “young” in our faith, we’re vulnerable to “every wind of teaching” (v. 14), which often results in division among us. Instead, as we mature in our understanding of the truth, we function as a unified body under “him who is the head, that is, Christ” (v. 15).
God gave us His Spirit to help us grow into a full understanding of who He is (John 14:26), and He equips pastors and teachers to instruct and lead us toward maturity in our faith (Ephesians 4:11–12). Just as certain characteristics are evidence of physical maturity, our unity as His body is evidence of our spiritual growth.
In what ways are you still vulnerable to “every wind of teaching”? How can you continue to grow spiritually?
Loving God, You’re the author of my growth and maturity. Please help me to see where my understanding of You is still immature and teach me more of Your wisdom.
得以长大成人，满有基督长成的身量。—以弗所书4章13节
最近有一份调查，要求测试者确定自己已是成年人的年龄。这些人用特定的行为，作为自己迈入成人阶段的证据。有预算和买房子是“成年”的首要标志，其他成年人的行为，包括周一至周五都煮晚餐、自己安排医疗预约；还有比较搞笑的，如可以自己决定以零食当晚餐，或是因周六晚上不出去玩，能待在家里而感到兴奋。
圣经说我们应该奋力地迈向灵命成熟。保罗写信给以弗所教会，鼓励众人要“长大成人，满有基督长成的身量”（以弗所书4章13节）。当我们的灵命还在“作小孩子”时，便难以抵御“异教之风”（14节），常常导致信徒之间产生分歧。然而，当我们对真理的认识日趋成熟，我们便更能在主里彼此联合，共同“连于元首基督”（15节）。
上帝将圣灵赐给我们，好让我们能更全面地认识祂是谁（约翰福音14章26节）。上帝也装备牧者和圣经教师，来教导和引领我们，使我们的灵命更加成熟（以弗所书4章11-12节）。就如同某些特征是身体成熟的证据，我们在主里的合一就是灵命成熟的证据。
你觉得自己在哪方面容易受“异教之风”影响？
你如何让自己的灵命持续成长？
慈爱的上帝，祢是使我成长和成熟的主。
求祢让我看见，我对祢的认识还有哪些不成熟之处，并教导我更明白祢的智慧。