15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
The word "rather", of course, contrasts this picture with what we saw yesterday: staying like a child, refusing to "grow up", remaining selfish and separated. Paul is preparing us for this balanced approach to living life as Christ-followers. On the one hand, we must live by "the truth", which calls for holiness, this separation from sin. On the other hand, we also need to deal with one another with love. That is the way our Head - Christ Himself - Who set the example for us, gave Himself for us, and now has ascended for us, expects us to live, to carry on His plan. Our Head is perfectly mature. When we are not, it just doesn't look right, because it is not right. But rather than seeing this as an ultimatum for us to tell one another: "hey, slacker, do your part!", Paul wants us to view this as a mutual responsibility to help each other do their part, to build each other up, to do and say things that help each other grow. Ever our spiritual growth requires us to see that we are in this together. There is no "I" in church.
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