And this word gives us the second mark of maturity in this text. He affirms their love and their work and their service to all the saints. . That is the mark of maturity that he wants to increase. Notice, again, it is not knowing more, it is doing more . It is not a matter of right belief, it is right action.
Maturity here is above all love in action .
So we are encouraged in this text to discover God's purpose for us in life and to do it, not just think about it. Today we simply call this our ministry. It belongs to all of us. Every Christian has a ministry. Knowing Jesus Christ is not just knowing him as Savior , it is also knowing him as Lord , it is not just knowing him as our only adequate Mediator, it is also knowing him as our Master .