“…but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head— Christ...” Ephesians 4:15
How would you summarize the true essence of Christianity if you were tasked with doing so? I suppose people may offer any number of answers to this query based on the numerous big picture statements pertaining to the Christian life in Scripture. One may say it is all about making disciples, and there is good cause to say so (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16). Another might say our primary function is to care for those in need, and again there is good reason to say such (Galatians 6:10; James 1:27a; 2:14-16; 1 John 3:17-18). Still others might say the essence of Christianity is living lives of purity as we put away sinful passions. This too is well supported in the Scriptures (Titus 2:11-14; James 1:21, 27b; 1 Peter 4:1-4). Then someone else may state with strong Scriptural support that we exist to love God and our neighbor, and indeed these are the greatest commandments (Matthew 22:34-40).
All the above are essential elements of the Christian life, but I would argue they all are parts of the overarching essence and goal of Christianity. That ultimate end is stated in the passage at the beginning, and it is reiterated in other passages in the New Testament. If we back up to Ephesians 4:11, we see a listing of gifts the Lord gave to His people: apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers to be specific. In 4:12, Paul shifts to the purpose of those gifts and to what I contend is the essence of Christianity. Those functionaries named in 4:11 were to equip the saints (every Christian) for the work of ministry which was to bring about certain results. Among these is unity of faith, knowledge of the Son of God, spiritual maturity/completion, measuring up to Christ’s standard, anchored against the winds of falsehood, and speaking the truth in love (vv. 13-15).
Still yet, every aspect of this is moving towards the climactic statement at the end of 4:15 that we “…may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ…” The end goal of loving God and neighbor, caring for the needy, purifying our thoughts and behaviors, carrying the gospel to the lost, etc. is growing up into Christ. Paul states this concept in slightly different terms in at least two other passages of note: Romans 8:29 and 2 Corinthians 3:18. It is worth taking a moment to ponder these a little further.
Romans 8:29 illuminates the meaning of Romans 8:28 that God works all things (both easy and difficult) to the ultimate good of those who love Him. The key element and most important aim of the child of God is not comfort and ease; it is conformity to the image of God’s Son, who is Himself the express image of God (Hebrews 1:3). The word “conformed” here means to take on the same form as another (Mounce) or to be fashioned like unto another (Strong). The word image here means the representation of another (Mounce). In 2 Corinthians 3:18, Paul states that such a transformation occurs as we behold Christ’s glory as revealed in the New Covenant.
If we take the notion of bearing the image of another to its biblical roots, we end up back in Genesis 1:26 and the creation of humanity. From the beginning, He created us to bear His image. Put another way, we were to represent His essence on the earth. Sadly, sin distorted the image of God in humanity. The essence of Christianity is restoring that image in fallen humanity, so we can once again bear His image as intended. This is a continual process in this life that will ultimately be fulfilled when He gathers us to Himself and fully transforms our essence into conformity with His (Philippians 3:20-21; 1 John 3:1-3). In the meantime, we must strive to behold and embrace His glory and daily be transformed into His image.