… to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 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. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. (Ephesians 4:12-16)

Attaining the fullness of Christ means growing into His likeness. We are also called to edify the body of Christ, and to do so, we need to be mature enough to focus on others, not on ourselves. So, are you growing?

And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. (Luke 2:52)

Jesus set an example; He Himself grew in wisdom and stature. When we grow up in Christ, we grow in favor with God and man. The Bible says that Christ in you is the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27). We are designed to grow, and Jesus is the Gardener. We must recognize our potential and sincerely desire spiritual growth and stature.

Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, “I find no pleasure in them” … (Ecclesiastes 12:1)

We need to desire the things of God in our youth so that we can grow in maturity as we get older.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-2)

We need to have the right perspective and get rid of everything that hinders our spiritual growth. When we look at life with heavenly perspective, everything else becomes meaningless.

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. (2 Timothy 4:7-8)

Let us grow in faith and put forth good effort so that in the end, we will be able to say that we fought a good fight, finished the race and kept the faith.

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. (Ephesians 4:22-24)

Let us put off our old selves, renew our minds and become like Christ in righteousness and holiness. Praise be to God.