Our Full Stature in Christ

Can you predict how tall a child will end up being as an adult? Some people would say, “Sure, just take a look at the parents.” But it’s more complex than that. Several factors are at play, including the growth of other family members, when the child reaches puberty, chronic illnesses that he or she may have had, and nutrition intake.

Pediatricians track a child’s height and weight with every checkup so they can plot their growth on a chart and compare it with what is typical for healthy boys and girls. Genes play a large role in determining how tall you will be. Girls start their growth spurt around age 9 to 10, with their fastest growth peaking around age 12. Boys start their growth spurt around age 11 and hit their peak at 13.

The Bible describes a transformation that will take place in our bodies at the Second Coming. We are not only justified in Christ and sanctified by the Holy Spirit, but we will be glorified when Jesus returns. Paul describes this: “If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you” (Romans 8:11).

This final redemption is something we can look forward to when Jesus returns. Paul explains, “The earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God” (v. 19). Then he adds, “Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body” (v. 23).

While God desires that we keep growing each day, we may be completely perfect now in Christ. Yet our ultimate transformation will take place when Jesus comes again. Until then, we should be careful about our “height,” as Paul warned, “Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12).

Apply It:

How tall are you? How tall do you think you will be in the kingdom of heaven?

Dig Deeper:

Mark 4:28; 1 Corinthians 15:35–58; Ephesians 4:13

Key Bible Texts

Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: (Ephesians 4:13 KJV)