Today’s devotion picks up from where Pastor Mary’s devotion left off on Friday in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, which we know as believers is a letter for each one of us. The Apostle Paul wants us to understand that we are all a part of God’s eternal plan to bring all things together in Christ Jesus. His letter aligns with yesterday’s sermon from Pastor Mary, that our lives’ purpose is to have the ability to make the presence of God known to the entire world (or all of His creation), and we do this as one united Body in Christ Jesus.
As the Body of Christ, we need to remember that our differences are an intentional part of God’s perfect design, and Paul tells us that our diversity as a Church (or Body) is for a purpose. God’s purpose is for ALL of us, as a united Church, to be “mature in the Lord” (v. 13). This means that individually and collectively we must reflect the glory of Jesus, so that we make Him and His Name visible to the world. This can only happen when “we will no longer be immature like children” (v. 14) rather when, “we will speak the Truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the Head of His Body, the Church”. (v. 15). As one united Body, the Holy Spirit “makes the whole Body fit together perfectly” (v. 16). Within this place of divine unity, each one of us can effectively live out our part for the Kingdom, we can help others live out their part, and together we can grow and live in the fullness of Christ’s love.
Yesterday, Pastor Mary preached that our salvation is Christ Jesus is a miracle. Sharing this miracle with someone today is the most special gift that you can give to them. Let Jesus’s love be known!
Ephesians 4:7-16 (NLT)
Unity in the Body
7 However, he has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ. 8 That is why the Scriptures say,
“When he ascended to the heights,
he led a crowd of captives
and gave gifts to his people.”
9 Notice that it says “he ascended.” This clearly means that Christ also descended to our lowly world. 10 And the same one who descended is the one who ascended higher than all the heavens, so that he might fill the entire universe with himself.
11 Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. 12 Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. 13 This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.
14 Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. 15 Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. 16 He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.
Prayer: Jesus, we thank You for being the Head of our Body, the Church. Holy Spirit, we need Your help so that we can work together as we grow in our individual and collective faith. As Your Church, we want to continue to mature in Your Word so our unique gifts flourish as one in You, Jesus. Equip us to do Your work, to share Your love so that more hearts may come to You in salvation. We ask all of this in Your Holy Name, Jesus. Amen.