Ephesians 4: 7-16
But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This is why it says: “When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men.” (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fulness of Christ.
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 cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is Christ. 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.
A Thought
Jesus Christ has made it possible for all who believe and accept his grace to be in unity working together to do works of service to build up the complete body of Christ. As a part of the body of Christ we are never working alone. God has called each of us to be members together as he empowers each one with his grace to be fully equipped to reach unity in faith and knowledge of the Son of God as we work together to become more like Christ. We should grow in maturity to recognize the craftiness of men and the deceitful schemings of the devil. As the body of Christ, we need to continue the work that Christ accomplished for us to be in unity and love as we work together to bring others to the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Our Prayer
Father thank you for giving us the faith to grow in your knowledge of Jesus Christ who is our Head. Thank you for your gifts of service to enable us to work together in unity and love to become the fulness of Christ in our world today. We ask in Jesus’ name, amen.
