Equipped and Built Up

Eph. 4:12-13

...to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,
until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.

 

Jesus gave grace according to the measure of His gifts whether those gifts were apostles, prophets, evangelists, or pastors and teachers. For what purpose was the gifting? So that the saints would be equipped for the ministry and so the body of Christ would be built up.

 

It was His provision for His sheep. He knew His flock needed to be feed, guided, and led into the truth. When the saints are equipped, then in turn, their purpose becomes clear. They then can be a functioning part of the body attaining to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God. From the original gifting, grace has permeated the entire body. Grace for growth and grace to receive the teaching from pastors and teachers so that believers can be unified in the faith and have the strength to contend for this faith. Not only that but the teaching and care of the pastor/teachers guides them into growth into Christ, into the knowledge of the Son of God. So that like Paul they can say, That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and may share His sufferings becoming like Him in death, that by any means possible I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

 

What is the end result? Maturity!! To the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ! What a hard concept to understand! But God has provisions for that. He gave us the pastor/teachers to guide us in the word, to challenge our hearts to willing obedience, and to sharpen our vision so we can see what is truly important. I understand the plan, but many times the problem comes with the sheep, those sheep who are prone to wander, to eat poisonous weeds, and to balk at the leading of the shepherds. So how do I grow up into Christ? My heart has to desire it above all else. I must commit to all it includes, to seek grace for every action, to carry on a constant conversation with God, and to rely on the Spirit constantly. These verses must be a matter of earnest prayer for my life!

 

Father,

Thank You for revealing Your plan to me, for giving me the indwelling Spirit and Son, and for giving me the grace and strength to obey. Work in my life. Grow me into maturity to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.

In His name,

Amen