March 15

“Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.” —EPHESIANS 4:15

Christ has gifted His church with evangelists, pastors and teachers to prepare God’s people for works of service. Paul then tells us, “So that the body of Christ may be built up 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” (Ephesians 4:12-13). 

It’s when we engage in works of service we become built up, and with other believers, reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of Christ. If we’re not involved in works of service, we are missing a fundamental aspect of Christian living in that the outflow of our love for Christ is expressed in benefit to others. There are many ways to serve God, but if we deliberately lack an outlet in which to do so our Christian lives will stagnate. 

Paul says in Ephesians 4:16, “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 works.” This is every member of the church of Jesus Christ pictured as a ligament, working together with Christ as the Head. Paul speaks more about this in 1 Corinthians 12:21 where he says the eye cannot say to the ear, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the foot, “I don’t need you!” Every part is essential, regardless of how insignificant we think it to be. In fact, Paul makes a point of saying that the parts which seem to be weaker are indispensable, and should be treated with special honor. Those on the open platforms of Christianity are dependent on many ‘behind the scenes’ people, and God gives greater honor to the less recognized.

As Christians, we all have a role to play in the body of Christ, and no one stands alone. 1 Timothy 3:15 speaks of the church as ‘God’s household’. It’s described as “the church of the Living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.” Coming together as believers, we come united in the Spirit of the Living God, and speaking the truth in love, “we grow up into Him who is the Head, that is, Christ”. This is where we mature, and attain to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. We are His agents on earth, and it’s working together that will make for a fruitful church.

PRAYER: Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the incredible gift of your church. I pray for everyone to become a part of it, and for continued blessings on the work of your people.

TO REFLECT UPON: How do I think contributing to the work of my church would affect my spiritual growth?