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

 

Summer is the season when we expect to see fruit – a time of ripening and harvest. Yesterday, we reflected on the kind of fruit that glorifies the Father: to love as Jesus loved. Today, Paul takes us a step further, pointing us to the ultimate goal of spiritual growth: to become like Christ in every way.

 

We cannot reach this goal on our own. This verse comes within a context that highlights the importance of the faith community in God's plan for us. Ephesians 4:3 calls us to preserve the unity of the Spirit – a unity forged by the Lord himself among believers. When we accept Jesus as our Saviour, we become part of his body, the church.

 

Ephesians 4:12 tells us that Jesus gave the church apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers to equip us for service and to build up the body of Christ. We are not only called to know about Jesus, but to truly love him – to walk our path of life in a living, growing relationship with him. We come to know him through his Word, through worship with fellow believers and by using our spiritual gifts in service to others.

 

As we grow in faith and increase in love, we become more spiritually mature. Together, we begin to reflect Jesus, carrying his love, his light and his character into a world that so desperately needs it. That’s how we make a difference: not just as individuals, but united as his church.

 

This is your calling in the summer season of your life: Commit yourself to knowing Jesus more deeply. Make every effort to be united with the body of Christ. Serve those he has placed in your life with love. Through service and self-sacrifice, Jesus becomes visible in our midst.

 

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you that you are the Head of your church. Thank you for allowing me to be part of your body on Earth. Thank you for the fellow believers you have placed in my life. Help me to grow in unity with them in faith and to serve with love, just like you. Make me spiritually mature so that I may bear fruit for you in this summer season of my life. Amen.