The whole body . . . grows and builds itself up in love. Ephesians 4:16
The Croods, an animated caveman family, believe that “the only way to survive is if the pack [their small family] stays together.” They’re afraid of the world and others, so when looking for a safe place to live they’re filled with fear after discovering a strange family already in the area they’ve chosen. But they soon learn to embrace the differences of their new neighbors, draw strength from them, and survive together. They find that they actually enjoy them and that they do need others to live life fully.
It can be risky to be in relationship—people can and do hurt us. Yet it’s for good reason God put His people together in a body, the church. In fellowship with others, we grow to maturity (Ephesians 4:13). We learn to depend on Him to help us be “humble and gentle” and “patient” (v. 2). We help each other by building each other up “in love” (v. 16). When we gather together, we use our gifts and learn from others who use theirs, which in turn equips us in our walk with God and service for Him.
As He leads you, look for your place among God’s people if you haven’t found it yet. You’ll do more than survive; in shared love you’ll bring honor to God and grow to be more like Jesus. And may we all depend on Him as we walk through a growing relationship with Jesus and others.
4 There is one bodyz and one Spirit,a just as you were
called to one hope when you were calledb;
5 one Lord,c one faith, one baptism;
6 one God and Father of all,d who is over all and through all and in all.e
7 But to each one of usf graceg
has been givenh as Christ apportioned it.
8 This is why ita says:
“When he ascended on high,
he took many captivesi
and gave gifts to his people.”b j
9 (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also
descended to the lower, earthly regionsc?
10 He who descended is the very one who ascendedk
higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)l
11 So Christ himself gavem the apostles,n the prophets,o
the evangelists,p the pastors and teachers,q
12 to equip his people for works of service,
so that the body of Christr may be built ups
13 until we all reach unityt in the faith and in the
knowledge of the Son of Godu and become mature,v
attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.w
14 Then we will no longer be infants,x tossed back and forth by the waves,y
and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the
cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.z
15 Instead, speaking the truth in love,a
we will grow to become in every respect the
mature body of him who is the head,b that is, Christ.
16 From him the whole body, joined and held
together by every supporting ligament,
growsc and builds itself upd in love,e as each part does its work.
INSIGHT
- Who are you walking through life with?
- How might you more deeply develop those relationships?
In Ephesians 4:11–16, the apostle Paul defined the pattern for the life of the church. God has given gifted leaders to the church—not for the purpose of doing the work of ministry, but for the purpose of equipping the people so that they can do the work of the ministry. Notice verses 11–12: “So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.” This is a different approach from what we often see in our churches today.
PRAYER
I love being a part of Your family, God. Help me fill my place well so that I might grow and help others to know You better. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen!!
Read: Ephesians 4:4-16 (NIV) | Bible in a Year: Job 20-21 ; Acts 10:24-48
