Basically, this section of scripture gives us 4 area's to concentrate on. It begins by telling us that we ALL are called to walk worthy of the calling; we ALL are given grace for the journey and we ALL have a particular job to do within the Body of Christ.
11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head,Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
1. We are to equip the saints; whenever and wherever we gather with other believers, we should share the knowledge and insights we've gained so they too, can be better equipped to serve. Likewise, we should be as eager to receive their knowledge and insights that will further equip each of us.
2. We are to edify, or grow, the Body of Christ; this involves not just adding other people to the Body, though this is most definitely a part of the growth process, but we are to example maturity in Christ to others, so they too will mature in the Spirit.
3. We are to actively seek UNITY; in the whole Body, not just in our special denomination or group, but to ALL who call upon the name of Jesus as their Lord and Savior, as much as it is in our power and ability we must be fostering unity.
4. Speak the TRUTH in Love; never compromise, never lie. Speak the truth to all and everyone, but do so in a gracious, loving way that takes the first three principles into consideration. Speak the truth so the saints are properly equipped and ready for the Spiritual Warfare that comes with being a believer. Speak the truth in Love to nurture to maturity. Speak the truth in Love to both example unity and encourage unity without regard to whatever label we may have put on ourselves in the religious sense. It doesn't matter if one calls themselves a Methodist or Baptist or Protestant or Catholic. If they call Jesus Lord they are members with YOU of the Body of Christ and we must seek unity above all else.
Each one of us is an individual, specifically created by God with certain abilities, personality traits and heart desires that are not the same as everyone else. All of these differences are designed by God to work together to supply the needs of the whole Body, not just a few chosen parts of it. No one member is of any greater, or lesser importance than any other member. The ultimate goal is always to glorify God, never ourselves.
With these ideas in mind, how might that change your walk with the Lord? Click on the comments section and share with us! Thank you and God bless you in your growth!
1 comment:
Glad you are focusing on the Scripture. Our divisions exist because we have not YET come to a perfect agreement on the Scriptures. Fully agree with the comment that "Jesus is Lord" is the basis of our unity (the interpretive unity we are working on). Somewhere we need to say that the Scripture is the final authority, not the doctrinal position of the Catholic or Presbyterian or Baptist or Assemblies of God, or Etcetera Church. [Neither can we say some Scripture is more authoritative than others- as in the words of Jesus versus the Apostles versus Solomon, etc.] That said, Yes! each gifted one is essential. When a team wins a victory, the whole team celebrates. When the mouth has a victory the foot celebrates. It is that mouth which belongs to its foot that has the victory. WE are that one body of Christ. Praise be to Him and to the Father and to the Spirit! Keep teaching the Scriptures.
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