Raising the Standard: Pressing Toward Christ's Fullness

Inspired by insights from A.B. Simpson's devotional

"…until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, as we mature to the full measure of the stature of Christ."
— Ephesians 4:13 (BSB)

God, in His infinite love, refuses to let us settle for anything less than His highest purpose for our lives. He is not content for us to linger in spiritual immaturity or to grow complacent in our faith. Instead, He continually calls us higher—to reflect more fully the image of His Son, Jesus Christ.

Imagine a banner raised high on a battlefield, a standard that signals where the soldiers must rally. In the heat of conflict, some may call for the banner to be lowered, thinking it too difficult to reach. But the brave ensign responds, "Don’t bring the standard back to the regiment; bring the regiment up to the standard."

In the same way, God does not lower His standard to accommodate our struggles or excuses. His call remains clear and steady: to grow into the fullness of Christ. And the beauty of this call is that He has already given us everything we need to answer it. The life of Christ within us is sufficient to raise us up to that standard.

When we stumble or fall short, it is not a sign that God’s standard is too high but an opportunity to lean into His grace, allowing Christ’s life within us to empower us. Our role is not to strive harder in our own strength but to yield more fully to the One who lives within us.

Let us not be tempted to redefine God’s promises or lower His commands to match our current state. Instead, may we press forward, trusting that His Spirit within us is working to bring us to maturity in Christ.

A Prayer of Confidence in God's Work Within Us

Father,
Thank You for setting before us the glorious calling to grow into the fullness of Christ. You have not left us to strive in our own strength, but You have placed within us the very life of Jesus, empowering us to rise to the standard You have set. We stand in confidence, knowing that You are faithfully completing the work You began in us.

We do not shrink back or settle for less, for we know that every promise You have made is already ours in Christ. As we yield to Your Spirit, we trust You to bring us into the fullness of Your purpose. We walk forward in faith, believing that nothing You have called us to is beyond the reach of the life You have placed within us.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Final Thought

God’s standard is not a burden but a banner calling us upward. He does not ask us to reach it alone. Christ in us is fully able to accomplish all that God has purposed. So, let’s press forward—not in self-effort, but in full trust that He is leading us into His greater glory.