We are called to evaluate ourselves against a true standard, which is Jesus Christ. He is the goal, the purpose, and the end result we strive to emulate. In Ephesians 4:13, we are urged to come to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, a deep concept tied to gaining the knowledge of the Son of God. This depth focuses on learning and understanding to reach the same level of comprehension as Christ. In Ephesians 4:15, the emphasis shifts to growth and application, urging us to grow up in all things into Him. This breadth means acting like Christ in every situation, applying the truth with the same degree that He did. The loftiness of this goal is daunting, as God expects us to be like Christ in every moment, word, action, and thought, without ceasing. It is a continuous mission to reflect Him in all aspects of our daily lives, from the mundane to the significant. This standard is so high that we struggle to achieve it, yet it remains our path to the Kingdom of God. The ministry is tasked with facilitating this growth, both for themselves and for others, recognizing the immense responsibility to shepherd the flock toward this ultimate aim. God demands not just knowledge but its transformation into action, producing fruit that glorifies Him. While head knowledge is valuable, it is the application—living and doing as Christ did—that He will judge. We must imitate Christ constantly, understanding that He is the way, the method, and the process by which we reach the Kingdom. Without Him, no true lasting good can be achieved, and only through emulating Him in every facet of life can we fulfill the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.

We are called to grow into the likeness of Jesus Christ, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. He is the standard toward which all men are to strive, the personification of perfect love and perfect government, the perfect man, God in the flesh. The goal of life is to study Christ, for He is the end and goal of the law, bringing us to this measure of fullness through God's purpose. Everything in God's plan aims to lead us to be like Christ, and a broader, deeper understanding of Him is required as we progress on this path. The fullness of Christ, and therefore of Christianity, can only be understood from the inside out through submissive obedience to God's will, guiding us toward this ultimate stature.

God's called children are to grow continually in His image and take on His character, striving toward a specific goal. This goal is to reach the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, becoming a perfect, complete man through the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God. Their progress toward Christ's character image is crucial in determining whether they will inherit all things. Though they will sin while in this mortal body, God requires His children to strive for change and overcome according to His standard. This process of growth and development involves prevailing over the world within oneself, conquering the lusts of the flesh, the eyes, and the pride of life that originate in a system opposed to God.