Title Ephesians 04:13-16 Mature Faith
Content Mature Faith
Ephesians 4:13-16
Autumn is the third season of the four seasons, the period from Ipchu (立秋) to Ipdong (立冬).
There are too many stories related to autumn, but what is special is that the five grains are ripe and the season of fruiting is autumn (fall is the ripening period).
So are we humans.
Once upon a time, when Moses was young, he mastered all the high learnings of Egypt.
Outwardly, he met the conditions to become a leader, but his bloodliness made him guilty of murder and was forced to flee to the Midian Valley.
However, 40 years later, when he received God's call from Mount Sinai, he felt his lack and refused a third time, but eventually became "the leader of Israel."
The same was true of Peter, Jesus' chief disciple. When the Lord was in the world, he stumbled and made many mistakes and faults.
However, after being filled with the Holy Spirit in Mark's upper room on the day of Pentecost, he turned into a great leader.
That is why it has been said since ancient times, "You must see life in the second half of the year".
Our faith also needs to be more perfected and matured as the years go by.
Verse 13 says, “And we will all become one in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, until we become a perfect man, even to the stature of the stature of the stature of Christ.”
Here it is said "to make a perfect man" (Ace Andra Teleion: ), but the word "perfect" (Teleion: ) here implies "maturity" rather than "perfect" (1 Corinthians 2:6, 14:20). , Hebrews 5:14).
At this time, through the words of this text, I would like to think about it under the title of "Mature Faith".
▣ First, mature faith must have intelligence, justice, and righteousness.
In Genesis 1:27, “God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”
The fact that we were created in God's "image" (zelem: ) here shows that the whole human being was created under the influence of God's disposition and attributes.
In this way, only human beings can be the object of communion and communion with God.
Human beings are said to be the lord of all things because their soul's intelligence, emotion, and righteousness were created by God's personal structure (Psalm 8:9; Ezekiel 28:12).
Depending on the person, some people are more intelligently developed, some are more emotionally developed, some are more intelligent and static, and some are more willful. .
However, mature faith requires a well-balanced harmony of intelligence, affection, and righteousness. These three things complement each other, complement each other, and mature when they are in harmony
1 Peter 1:5-7 says, “For you have been protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation which is prepared to be revealed in the last days. We rejoice greatly that the trial of your faith, which is more precious than gold that perishes even though it is tried by fire, may be found to be praise, glory, and honor at the appearing of Jesus Christ.”
In order for faith to grow normally, we must lead a life of faith that is “God-centered, Bible-centered, and church-centered.”
Therefore, I hope that you will become a saint who lives in a faith that harmonizes wisdom, affection, and righteousness.
▣ Second, mature faith must stand firm on the Word.
Many books in the world are books that record the words of men created by human knowledge and experience, but the Bible is the word of God written by inspiration of God.
Abraham Lincoln said that the Bible is God's greatest gift to man.
The Apostle Paul said, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3). :16-17) said.
Just as the life of the body must eat food to grow normally, so our soul must also know, believe, and receive the Word of God, which is the food of life.
“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in good health, as your soul prospers” (3 John 1:2).
A faith that loves and reads the word of God and stands firm on the foundation of that word is sound faith.
Our entire life should be based on the Bible and reflect the Bible.
In the old days, runners read books, but simply said, "There are those who read with their mouths, those who read with their eyes, and those who read with their hearts."
I hope that all of us will become saints who read the Word of God while thinking deeply about it in our hearts.
▣ Third, mature faith must be faithful to the task assigned to it.
Hilti said, "People are happiest when they work hard."
It is said that it is really happy to spend time working hard by pouring body and village into the day itself without any sleep.
“Dig a well until living water springs up,” Goethe said.
This is an exhortation to be faithful in the office that one has been entrusted with.
At a church in Busan, there was a man named Kwon, who was 70 years old. This man was an old man with a slightly bent waist, and he was very religious. What is also surprising is that he firmly vowed to be loyal to the office of the gwonsik for the rest of his life.
His territory has always been revived.
The secret is that when he is appointed to a certain district, first, he checks the families of that district all day and visits them. He also understands the spiritual needs of the members of the district and prays and comforts them whenever and wherever. She is a grandmother who serves as a chaplain with the heart of ministering to the faith of the members of the district who have come by faith.
I once made this request. He asked him to entrust the high-altitude area where the poorest people in the church were and where it was difficult to work. It is a precious thing indeed.
The Session, at His request, entrusted the highland poor territories.
After a while, I heard rumors that the area was changing into a spiritually very graceful area.
The role of one faithful man has brought such a great revival.
Loyalty is something that bears fruit in dedication and passion.
He is practicing the example of loyalty.
As the saying goes, "If the family is poor, find a virtuous wife, and when the country is in danger, find a loyal servant."
Loyalty is not just words, but faith and strength in what you do.
Therefore, believers must be loyal to caring for the church more than caring for my body and my house.
Acts 13:22 says, "He made David king and testified, saying, "I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after my own heart, and he will do all my will."
Saints!
I hope that you will become mature saints who are faithful to death by standing firm on the Word with faith with wisdom, honesty, and righteousness