Page 117 - Ephesians

this into your heart, the more 4-6 will be true. You haven’t laid
claim to your wealth. This is God’s gracious objective test. He
doesn’t need it. We do. He’s given us this test because He loves
us too much, to let us go on in unreality. Too much, to let us
fake it.

That brings us to chapter 4. Let me give you a plan for this
chapter. Even though chapters 4-6 spring from 1-3. It is also
true that 4-6 has its own foundation as well. He keeps placing
firm footing under us. He wants to make sure we don’t become
legalistic. Legalism is not keeping too many rules. It’s trying to
keep the rules with your own power. No rest! Legalism is
confidence in the flesh!

In order to best look at chapter 4, I suggest you divide it into three
parts. In 4:1-16, He gives a firm foundation. Then He gives some
blessed responsibilities that follow. Then, in verses 17-34, He
gives a second liberating truth. A second foundation. Then a few
more blessed responsibilities. It’s almost as if He doesn’t dare tell
you too much, until He’s put a rock solid path beneath your feet.
In chapter 4:25-32, He ends up showing us the wonderful results
flowing from these foundations. Please take a moment and read
Ephesians 4:1-16, before continuing……

Now before I state it to you as a principle, let me point out the
parts that lead to a foundational understanding. Chapter 4:1-16 is
a wonderful passage on Christian maturity. Notice verse 13,

“Until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the
knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man.”

What is maturity, according to verse 13? Maturity is the
knowledge of the Son of God! Knowing Jesus. In verse 13, we
have this expression, “To the measure of the stature which
belongs to the fullness of Christ.” That statement is so full you
can miss the elegance of its simplicity.