“Till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. – Ephesians 4:13

Measurement is arguably one of man’s greatest inventions.

What would life be like if we didn’t have a universal system of measuring time?

Scholars say the earliest known uniform systems of measurement were first created between 5,000 BC – 4,000 BC among the ancient peoples of Egypt and Mesopotamia.

Today, the science of metrology, which has developed standard units for measuring volume, length, time, distance, weight, among others; has become almost indispensable to human existence.

The whole point of the science of metrology and calibration is developing and maintaining a universal standard against which accurate measurements can be made.

The word ‘metrology’ is derived from the Greek word ‘metron,’ which means a ‘measure.’

In our meditation today, the Scripture uses the word ‘metron,’ which implies that our Lord Jesus is the ultimate standard of measure against which the saints may be measured.

This passage of Scripture including the verse above presents three stages of spiritual growth.

First, gifted leaders – apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers – are charged by God with the duty of equipping, empowering and building the capacity of the ordinary people of God.

We were not called to measure up or conform to the standard of any person, however gifted they might be.

Our only standard is Christ, nothing more; nothing less.

Secondly, the well-equipped saints then carry out the work of the ministry, through their giving and by their words and actions in their daily lives out there in the community.

Clearly, we note that the work of the ministry is to be performed by the saints – you and me.

The role of your pastor is to “equip” you every Sunday so that you go out for “the work of the ministry” during the week.

Thirdly, the result is that the entire body of Christ is built up so as to achieve love, unity, knowledge and maturity, which must only be measured against Christ’s standard.

In Romans 10:29, the Bible says; “For whom He foreknew, He also predestinated to be conformed to the image of His Son.”

We were not called to measure up or conform to the standard of any person, however gifted they might be.

Our only standard is Christ, nothing more; nothing less.

So, to what extent are you measuring up to (or falling short of) Christ’s standard?

You’re “perfect” only to the extent that you measure up to Christ’s standard!

May God help us to renew our minds daily as we continue to be conformed to the standard that He has set for us – His Son Jesus Christ. Amen!