The primary goal of every believer should be that Christ be formed in him. Additionally, the goal of every mature believer, church ministry, and church leader should be to nurture young believers into maturity in Christ. The Apostle Paul, speaking to Christians among the churches in Galatia, stated his ministry objective in Colossians 1:28-29: 'that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil and struggle with all the energy he so powerfully inspires within me' (NRSV). The church is not a place to entertain people emotionally, but a place where people should encounter Christ crucified.
Paul's Labour Pains for the Galatians
In Galatians 4:19, Paul uses the imagery of labour pains: 'My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you' (KJV). When a woman is pregnant, she labours to see that the child comes to life and enters the world. Paul says he feels the same way when looking at the believers in Galatia. He feels like he is under labour pain to see that they grow into the image of Christ. That was his primary goal, and that is spiritual formation. To grow into the image of Christ is to look like Jesus, think like Jesus, desire what Jesus desires, and love like Jesus loves.
Who Are You Labouring For?
Galatians 4:19 reminds us to labour for the gospel. Consider this question: who are you labouring for right now? Perhaps the people that come to mind include your family, spouse, or children. But what about beyond your home? Are there friends you are labouring for? Could it be the people you work with, or other people in your family and neighbourhood? What would it look like for you to spend your life labouring to see other people experience the fullness of life in Jesus? This is the Christian life, and that is what it means, in essence, to make disciples.
The Great Commission and Discipleship
The Great Commission in Matthew 28:19 mandates every believer to go and make disciples of all the nations. To raise disciples of Christ everywhere is what God requires from us as believers in Christ. A disciple is a devoted follower who adheres to the teachings of his master. Discipleship connotes patterning our lives after Christ and following His character. It is not just having a mass of information about Christ in our heads, but living out Christ inside of us. Maturity is coming to a full knowledge of Christ and attaining the measure of the fullness of Christ.
The Church's Role in Nurturing Maturity
The church should be committed to nurturing people into maturity in Christ. The goal is until Christ is formed in people. Ephesians 4:13 states: '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' (NIV). The church's mission is to teach and nurture people in the image of Christ. The role of both the church and the home is to teach and nurture. 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12 says: 'For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.' The church should encourage young converts in their growth unto maturity. This is the job of both teachers and the Holy Spirit. Teachers comfort their learners because learning new ways of living is not always easy. Teachers urge their learners to live lives worthy of God.
Today's Nugget: The Goal is that Christ be formed in me.
Prayer: Lord, help me to live like Christ.
Prayer lines: 08033299824. E-mail: [email protected]
Rev. Abel Ukachi Amadi, General Superintendent, Assemblies of God Nigeria.
