Ephesians 4: 14-16 (warning of immaturity, Christ holds the body together)

            Summary:  Paul has just come off of giving grounds for why spiritual gifts are given, being to equip the body for maturity.  Now, he gives the reason why maturity is so important.  His reason is that believers would not be tossed back and forth but would remain on their journey for holiness.  He then goes on to state why holiness is important.  It is because we should be pushing onward to grow together as a body up into the head which is Christ. 

            Note: The Greek word for children here can literally be translated little child.

            Note:  All mentioning of maturation is to be done in love.

Timeless Principle:  The first notable point made in this text by Paul is one concerns immaturity and what it causes.  Earlier he mentions maturity and now he gives grounds as to why it is so important.  Its importance is seen here by a description of what lack of maturity causes.  A lack in maturity causes corrupt and fickle members of the body who are tossed back and forth from the lightest breeze of gust of wind.  The believer who is tossed by mere gusts will never be able to withstand the intense storms described by Christ in Matthew.  They are not only easily knocked of the narrow path but they aid in leading other believers astray and bring about disease in the body of Christ.  Therefore, we must strive to give sound teaching to one another in love as well as building our faith on the firm foundation such that we might not be shaken. 

I love the Paul is always giving Christ all glory.  It is Him who is the head of the church and Paul realizes it.  He mentions how we should be mature, ever-growing into our Savior.  He then goes on to say that it is Christ who holds it all together.  It is him who is the fullness of all things, Him being the glue of the body, and Him being the one who is over all.  We should never steal any credit.  Any boasting done should be that of boasting in the cross and only the cross.  It is only by and through that cross that we have any of this grace or any of our gifts, be it whatever those gifts may be. 

The idea of building one another in love is also mentioned in this text.  We as a body are called to discipline one another.  All discipline is to be done in love as with the love of Christ.