Together we must work together as one body encouraging each other to grow deeper in our understanding of God’s great love for us.

Eph. 4:7-16

7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. 8 This is why it says “When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.” 9 (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? 10 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) 11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 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.

14 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 by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 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 work.

In this passage Paul gives us, the church, a clear goal to grow in maturity and unity through Christ. How do we get there though? We get there through the abundant blessings God has poured upon us, His grace, His Spirit and His people.

In order to grow in that maturity and unity we first need to know and understand the amazing depth of God’s love and grace for us which Paul reminds us about in verse 9. Jesus stepped down from heaven, came to Earth to teach and serve, died for our sins and was raised again so that we might see the fullness of God’s glory. This paints the perfect picture of the way we, as God’s people, should seek to love and serve others.

As we come to know God he fills us with His spirit, helping us to see and use the gifts He has given us so that we can glorify God, serve and love him as well as serve and love others just as He has called us to. Being filled with the Spirit we can then work together as one body in Christ with the different gifts and abilities he has blessed us with. Growing ourselves, growing each other, growing the Church.

It is through these things that we can stand strong against the trials the world throws at us. We stand strong in God, we stand strong in the assurance, joy and peace he blesses us with, and we surround ourselves with a community of people who keep us grounded in this.

Prayer: Heavenly Father,

We thank you for your amazing love for us. We thank you for Jesus and that he stepped down from heaven and ascended again, so that we might know of your glory, grace and love. We thank you for each part and each member of our church and the way they work together to glorify you. Lord, we pray that your Spirit would work through us so that we would use the gifts you have given us wisely and sacrificially. Help us to follow the example Jesus set for us to serve you and serve others, building each other up to grow in maturity so that we would not be distracted by the temptations of this world, but rather focused on bringing all glory and honour to You.

In Jesus’ name we pray,

Amen

A song to listen to:  This Life I Live – Emu Music

Natalie Lather

Living Church – Creek Road