THE WHOLE MEASURE

Dining with Jesus Christian Episodes

THIS IS TABLE ROCK FELLOWSHIP – PASTOR RYAN LADEN

In the last section of our reading from Matthew 5:38-48, the Lord Jesus Christ gives us the following words of calling:

“If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

Matthew 5:46-48 NIV-11

Love More

Jesus Christ is making sure his disciples and missionaries understand that loving only those people in life that you are sure will love you back, is not a part of our true calling.

Sure, we should love those in life who show us love. But those that are seeking to walk in the footsteps of Christ, we must see that the Lord showed love to more than his family and friends, more than the people in his small group. Jesus showed love to his accusers, to his abusers, to those who spit upon him, called him names, and drove spikes through his body.

The call of the missionary is to love more.

Verse 48

According to the NIV-11 translation used above, we hear that Jesus is calling his people to be “perfect” as his Heavenly Father is perfect. That is a big ask! I am not going to meet that goal.

But there is more to this calling that we can see in this English translation. The Greek word used here comes from the word telos. Sure, this word is used to describe perfection, but it is more often used to describe something or someone who is in a state of change. Someone who is headed for completion of a goal.

One common use of this word in the New Testament is that of describing the process of being made complete or mature in one’s faith. Listen to how this word is used by the Apostle Paul in the following passage:

“It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.”

Ephesians 4:11-15 NIV-11

Good Goal

Perfection might be something that you aspire to, but I do not. I do not seek to become invisible or to fly by flapping my arms either. Instead, I prefer to seek that which is in the realm of reality.

I cannot be perfect. I know that for a fact.

But I can rejoice over and join in the work of Jesus Christ that is being done in me right now that is helping me move closer and closer to being mature in my faith.

Verse 13

I love how this is said in verse 13:

“until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”

Ephesians 4:13 NIV-11

I can get on board with this mission!

I want to reach maturity in my faith.
I want to know the Son of God more and more.
I want to be included in the fullness of Jesus Christ!

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ,
I desire to be made more like you today
than I was yesterday.
I want more than anything else
to be included in your person,
your work, your glory,
your wisdom, and your peace.
Help me take the step of obedience and faith
that lies before me today.

In Christ,

Ryan Laden

OUR MISSION AS A CHURCH

“TO ENCOURAGE AND EQUIP EACH OTHER IN LOVE TO KNOW JESUS AND MAKE HIM KNOWN”

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