Daily Devotions for Sunday, January 25, 2026: Full Stature: Growing Together into Christ

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The Daily Devotional

Sunday, January 25, 2026

Full Stature: Growing Together into Christ

“Until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ.” — Ephesians 4:13

Introduction

Today holds a dual significance in the life of the Church. It marks the eighth and final day of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, and it is also the Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul. These two observances are deeply intertwined. Paul’s radical transformation on the road to Damascus—from a persecutor of the faithful to the "Apostle to the Gentiles"—reminds us that knowing Christ is not merely an intellectual exercise, but a life-altering encounter. As we conclude this week of praying for unity, Paul’s words to the Ephesians remind us that our goal is not just to coexist, but to grow together into spiritual adulthood, reaching the "full stature" of Jesus himself.

Reflection

Maturity is a concept we understand well in our professional and physical lives, yet we sometimes neglect it in our spiritual lives.

Consider the journey of a medical resident. A student can memorize every anatomy textbook and pass every written exam with perfect scores, but that does not make them a surgeon. "Maturity" in medicine requires stepping out of the classroom and into the operating room. It requires hands-to-scalpel experience, standing alongside a mentor, learning the rhythm of the work, and applying that book knowledge to real, breathing patients. Over time, the anxious resident becomes the steady, seasoned doctor. The knowledge has moved from their head to their hands; it has become second nature.

This is the vision Paul summarizes for the Body of Christ. Spiritual maturity comes through an ever-deepening knowledge of Jesus—not just knowing about Him, but knowing Him. It is a life-changing knowledge that renews our minds and demands to be put into practice. We cannot claim to have the "full stature of Christ" if our faith remains a theory. We resemble Him more and more only as we get to know Him better through obedience.

Just as Saul of Tarsus had to be blinded by the light of Christ to truly see, we must allow our encounters with Jesus to shape our actions, thoughts, and relationships. True Christian unity is found here: when we are all striving to love as He loves and serve as He serves, our differences fade in the light of His character.

Application

Today, take a moment to evaluate your spiritual "diet" and "exercise." Are you consuming knowledge about God without putting it into practice? The challenge for today is to move from intellectual comprehension to active obedience. Choose one specific character trait of Jesus—perhaps His patience, His listening ear, or His willingness to serve the unnoticed—and consciously practice it in your workplace or home today. Let your actions be the evidence of your growing knowledge of the Son of God.

Conclusion

The goal of our Christian journey is nothing less than becoming like Jesus in every way. As we close this Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, let us remember that we are not walking this road alone. We are called to seek unity with one another, growing side-by-side toward maturity. When we strive for His fullness in us, we become a collective witness to the world, just as Paul was, revealing the transformative power of God’s grace.

Prayer

O Christ, True Light of the world, make my soul worthy to see the light of your glory with joy on the day of my calling, and to rest with the hope of good things in the house of the righteous, until the day of your great coming. Have mercy upon your creation, and on me, a great sinner. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. Now and always and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

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Devotional by: Kenny Sallee, ThM — Deming, NM, USA

The Bible texts are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) Bible, copyright © 1989, 1993, the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.