READ: Ephesians 4:1-16
1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
KEY THOUGHT:
Have you ever been asked, “Why don’t you grow up?” Sure, we all have been asked that same question, probably many times. Although we look forward to growing up and being more mature, we sometimes get really comfortable and feel pretty secure staying where we are. As a result, it is difficult making the changes needed to “grow up”. Paul tells us that we are to stop being like children (verse 14), and we should grow up in Christ (verse 15). He shows us that we must change some things to make that transition. First, we need to learn not to get fooled by the trickery of the devil and the ways of this world. Second, we need to be able to speak “the truth in love”. In order to do that, we must know the truth. Growing in God’s Word provides knowledge of the truth. Knowing the truth will help keep us from being deceived. Growing in love will equip us to speak the truth we know to others. Are you growing up?
CONSIDER:
- What must a child do to grow up to become an adult?
- What does a young Christian need to do to grow up to be a steady, mature Christian?
- What are some of the things that you are doing to help you grow to be the Christian God wants you to be?
APPLICATION:
Grow up in Christ by growing in God’s Word!
