Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.” This shows we still need prayer in order to fully mature.
— Colossians 4:12 ESV
We read this as Epaphras’ prayer, but we understand that this originates as the heart and mind of the Father, fully seen through Jesus being the great Intercessor.
Growing up presents all kinds of struggles, spiritually as well as naturally. Predestined to be conformed to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29), requires us to agree, and willingly obey, in all things.
We can’t stop our natural growth, it continues without our conscious agreement, but we do have to participate with our spiritual growth. Hebrews 5:12–14 notes that there is a time when we are to move from the milk of the Word to solid food. Our spiritual growth begins with a desire for the sincere milk of the Word (1 Peter 2:2) and continues through more solid food to the place of standing mature and fully assured in ALL the will of God. That requires a life-time of meals.
And then to stand…
“Perfect and complete” — KJV
“Perfect and fully assured” — NASB 1995
“Mature and fully assured” — ESV
…requires our pursuit of spiritual truth.
Since God has dealt to every man the measure of faith (Romans 12:3), we know we have the God-given ability to believe Him. Spiritual wisdom and understanding come through the discipline of attending to the Word(s) of God, thus enabling us to know the will of God.
The heart and mind of God; his will, is revealed by the Holy Spirit, as we meditate on the truths we hear and see. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. Revelation is built. Wisdom is imparted. Understanding is formed, and faith is the fruit.
Wisdom and insight are lavished upon us as He makes known the mystery of His will (Ephesians 1:8). Grace is imparted, and we are enabled to pursue and achieve all the will of God—growing to stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.
HELPS Word-studies
Mature ~
Cognate: 5046 téleios (an adjective, derived from 5056 /télos, “consummated goal”) — mature (consummated) from going through the necessary stages to reach the end goal; developed into a consummating completion by fulfilling the necessary process (spiritual journey). See 5056 (telos).
[This root (tel-) means “reaching the end (aim).” It is well illustrated with the old pirate’s telescope, unfolding (extending out) one stage at a time to function at full strength (capacity/effectiveness).]
Fully assured ~
4135 plērophoréō (from 4134 /plḗrēs, “full” and 5342 /phérō, “carry, bring”) — properly, fully carry through (make full); bear (or wear) fully.
4135 /plērophoréō (“fully carry through”) is used of God’s power bringing the believer to maximum potential, “matching” their true knowledge of Him (cf. 1 Cor. 12:13).
4135 (plērophoreō) is often translated “giving full assurance,” but it properly means “bearing (wearing) the work of God to the fullest extent.” That is, to the full capacity of the individual believer who is “fully persuaded” by Him.
While James 1:5–8 reminds us that if we lack wisdom, we can ask God, who will give it to us liberally without any condemnation for needing it, he does then warn us that the double-minded man is unstable in ALL his ways.
So, how do we navigate our need to be fully assured without doubting the wisdom we have been given?
Wisdom, maturity in ALL of the will of God, lies in watering and nurturing the seed that has been sown until it has brought forth fruit—guarding our hearts from any disruption to the supremacy of Christ.