ESOCS Devotional 26 April 2021
TEXT: EPHESIANS 4:7-16
MEMORY VERSE: “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 fullness of Christ.” Ephesians 4:13 KJV
Unity is the state of being undivided, unbroken or oneness. Unity may also refer to an institution that brings different people together under one roof. In the context of our study, unity is the state of oneness, agreement in the body of Christ in which all believers are members.
The Lord Jesus Christ prayed for the unity of His disciples as we have read in John 17. The unity that Jesus prayed for was not organizational unity but spiritual unity based on believing in Him. Amos 3:3 says, “Can two walk together except they be agreed?” This question is so pertinent for us to understand the importance of brethren walking in unity. Unity is a great virtue, when present in any group of people, for it strengthens them. The Bible instructs that we walk in unity.
Christ gave different roles and functions in the body to bring about our unity and growth. The purpose of these gifts, according to verse 12, is to equip the saints for the work of ministry (service). Christ did this for the building up of the body of Christ. These gifts were given so that everyone would be able to do works of serving in the kingdom and build one another up.
Something is horribly wrong when the body is not doing the work of serving and building up. This equipping and building up is to continue. The goal is unity, knowledge, and maturity. We are to mature according the measure of the fullness of Christ. The glorified Christ becomes the standard at which we are to aim. We need each other and come together so that we can grow up into Christ. Again, we see the purpose and need for our Bible studies. This is our opportunity to discuss the scriptures so we can grow in the faith.
We must grow so that we would no longer behave like children but mature in the knowledge and things of God. God does not want us to remain immature. Staying immature is going to cause you problems. You are going to be tricked and deceived by Satan and by others. You are going to be tossed around in your life like waves battering against the sea shore. Every teaching is going to knock you down like a strong wind. You will be deceived by people’s scheming and craftiness. Unity of the faith, knowledge of the Son of God, and maturity in Christ will stabilize your faith and stabilize your life.
We maintain unity when we grow from the gifts Christ has distributed to us. Growing up into Christ means a greater harmony and unity in the body. Think about it this way: if we lack growth, we are hurting unity and hurting our work in the kingdom. God is to be glorified through the Church (Ephesians 3:21). God is glorified in your spiritual growth because you will be doing more of what God has called you to do.
Read yesterday’s ESOCS Devotional here
CHALLENGES
What are those things you are doing that will not enable you to grow in Christ?
PRAYER POINT
Pray to God to teach you how to grow in faith in Christ.
FURTHER READING: Colossians 2:6-7; I Corinthians 12:1–31
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ESOCS Devotional 26 April 2021
