Why is Growth in Godliness Important?

Nurturing growth in godliness is the primary obligation of the church.

  • The church is the primary means of maturity (vv14-16).
  • Of course, God works in different people's lives by different instrumental means - God does not wield a cosmic cookie cutter.  But again, according to Ephesians 4, the primary instrument He uses to develop spiritual maturity in His people is the local church.
  • How, specifically, does God use the local church to develop maturity in His people?
    • Truth spoken in love (v15) - We "grow up in all aspects into Him" by "speaking the truth in love" to one another. 
    • Individual growth happens as we talk with each other about God's Word - His Truth - and its implications for our lives. Spiritual growth is therefore a function of relational involvement, not rugged individualism.  We grow by pursuing the joy of purposeful relationship with one another - by deliberately and lovingly talking with each other about God's truth over meals and walks and car trips and plane rides. 
    • Conversely, if we neglect to do this, then our lives will evidence that neglect in perpetual immaturity - and God will hold us accountable for it.
  • The proper working of each part (v16) - The body "builds itself up in love" by the "proper working of each individual part." 
    • Corporate growth happens as we each serve in the ways God has called and gifted us to do so as individual members of His corporate Body.  Spiritual growth is therefore a function of investing ourselves fully in a local church, not remaining aloof or anonymous.  We grow by pursuing the joy of working together for the building up of the local church. 
    • Conversely, if we neglect to do this, then our local church will evidence that neglect in stunted growth and perpetual corporate immaturity - and God will hold us accountable for it.