Ephesians 4:14-16

Ephesians 4:14-16

… in order that we should no longer be infants while being tossed about and while being carried away by every wind of teaching in the trickery of mankind in the evil cunning by the scheming of error.  But in speaking the truth in love, we should grow in all things into Him who is the head, Christ.  Out of whom the whole body – that which is joined together and that which is united through every ligament of the support according to the working in one measure of each part in the growth of the body – does the building up of the whole body in love.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Paul then gives another great reason for the fivefold ministry styles.  As the body of Christ is built up, we become less likely to be tossed around by the teaching of other people.  Let’s face it.  Science and human culture is always changing.  People are always changing views and changing perspectives.  But as the body of Christ is built up in love, we gain strength in numbers and confidence in unity.  We gain defense against people who would lead us astray with sly teachings.

How often do you think of the spiritual people around you with respect to being grounded?  How do the people around you help protect you?

Second Thought:

As we would expect from Paul, as he speaks about the body of Christ and being in Christ he also talks about growth.  We are to grow in Christ.  If Christ is our head, we are to grow under the direction of His vision.  But as we have been focusing all along, this is not just an individual growth.  This is a communal growth.  The growth is the building up of the whole body of Christ.

In what ways are you growing in Christ?  In what ways are you a part of a community growing in Christ together?

Third Thought:

Paul also reminds us that if we are a body, we are joined together and united.  But take a look at what Paul credits for joining us together. Obviously all credit goes to God.  But it is our working together in the measure that Christ gives to us.  It is our common calling that keeps us united.  It is our mutual work that keeps us joint.  It is our combined ability to be about God’s work and our ability to submit to His agenda that allows us to stay united.

How united are you to the will of God?  Are you about your own desires or about what God would have you be doing?

Passage for Tomorrow: Ephesians 4:17-19