“Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.”
“that we may present every man perfect [mature] in Christ Jesus”
“Perfect” is a term of maturity (Heb. 5:11-14). The word “perfect” means someone who has reached the end God intends for them. It does not lack the end for which the Lord intended. This believer is spiritually fully grown (1 Cor. 2:6; 14:20; Eph. 4:13; Php. 3:15; 4:12; Heb. 5:14).
New Christians and believers who grow very little are spiritual babes (1 Pet. 2:2; 1 Cor. 3:1-2). Paul’s interest is not to allow believers to remain spiritual babies (cf. 1 Cor. 3:1-2) but in their becoming spiritually mature (cf. Heb. 5:11-14).
The word “present” means to stand before God. Paul wanted to present people under his charge to stand before God mature in their daily walk. He consecrated them to God to become mature. A person reaches spiritual maturity when they can independently apply the truth of God’s Word to meet any spiritual battle they might face.
Principle:
Spiritual maturity is the ability to apply truth to experience independently from other Christians.
Application:
A spiritually mature believer can discern whether something is from the Lord or the flesh. He can detect the working of the flesh and judges it immediately. He refuses to allow it to get a grip on him. An immature Christian will not recognize the flesh when it presents itself, and he is not aware of God’s spiritual equipment to combat the flesh. However, as he grows in grace, he will be able to identify the dangers that lurk in his life and know the principles of dealing with them. If he does not discover those dangers, he is in serious trouble. If he does not come to know God’s principles for dealing with them, he will end in spiritual trouble.
Have you reached the end for which God intended you?
