Daily Reading for January 18 2010 Ephesians 4:10-16

Day 8

Ephesians 4:10-16
10 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,12 to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up
13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.
16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. 

The first part of this passage speaks of the diversity of offices within the church. It is vital that we operate in these areas as the church benefits from each person operating in the fullness of their gift.  As long as we see ourselves as the body and Christ as the head we can keep the proper perspective. All gifts and callings are precious and important to the body. All parts of the body are of equal importance. We need one another and when we foster an environment of empowerment and growth we can see everyone around begin to utilize their gifts for the Kingdom of God. It is clearly stated that the Church is Christ's and we are to come together to be the body under the authority of the head. The final section of this scripture mentions "speaking the truth in love". It is important that we rightly divide and then proper USE the Word of God. The Word wasn't meant to be used as a weapon against one another or even the lost it was meant to defeat the enemy of our souls. However, when we rightly divide the Word of truth and teach the Word of God with love and compassion it is amazing how God can change a life. I am always thankful that I am not the judge and am not responsible to changing others. I have learned to trust the Holy Spirit and the Word of God to transform individuals who seem to have no hope. Praise God, I have found my hope in Jesus Christ. Have you? 


Blessings,


Pastor Larry