GOAL OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE

Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: – Ephesians 4:13

“God has a clearly defined objective for each of His children – that they might be “conformed to the image of His Son” (Rom. 8:29). He exhorts us to “go on unto perfection” (Heb. 6:1), or that spiritual maturity of which Jesus was the perfect example.

What is the goal of the Christian life? Paul left the Colossians Christians in no doubt as to his view of the subject: “We are proclaiming Him…in order to present to God everyone MATURE through union with Christ” (Col. 1:28, Williams N.T.). He set the goal clearly before the Ephesians: “Until we all attain…to a MATURE MANHOOD and to a perfect measure of Christ’s moral stature” (Eph. 4:13, Williams N.T.)

So then the goal of the Christian life is to attain in ever-increasing degree the standard of spiritual maturity which was seen in perfection in Christ. John said with keen anticipation: “When we see him, we shall be like Him.” Could there be any higher glory? In a word, SPIRITUAL MATURITY is CHRISTLIKENESS. In every life situation our Lord reacted in a mature way….

Christ set the standard in everything. He was never petulant, always calm; never rebellious, always obedient; never fearful, always courageous; never vacillating, always resolute; never pessimistic, always cheerful; never subtle, always sincere; never grasping, always generous; never acting from expediency, always from PRINCIPLE. He is the PATTERN of SPIRITUAL MATURITY.”