Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Believing in ‘Christ the Truth’
Ephesians 4:11-16
 
Gracious John

St. Andrews MTC, NY
"When are you going to grow up and mature?" I was asked this question many times as a child. Actually, I am still questioned about this from time to time today. Maturity is a very important aspect of life. Many times we equate this to making wise eating choices, finishing school, finding a job, managing finances, getting married, and so on. We are all very focused on refining all the talents and tasks we do to becoming the best version of us that we can. However, we often forget to remember to refine or put effort into nurturing our spiritual maturity. We forget to choose God as a priority rather than an option, we forget to love one another in Christ, we do not serve to bring out the best in each other. We don't try to put in the effort to be spiritually mature.
    It is easy for us to “go along” with the crowd or what everyone is doing. The passage reminds us that through Christ’s sacrifice, we are not to sway back and forth from one wind to another. Instead, we are to stand firm and rely on the backbone that Christ has provided on the cross. Spiritual maturity enables us to make more informed decisions instead of what the world desires. Think about all the not-so smart decisions we made when we were not mature. What were we thinking?  What may even scare us more is when we realize how spiritually immature we still are today. We may find ourselves being fooled by crafty, cunning, and deceitful people as mentioned in this passage.
    We may feel that we are not capable of leading such a life. We may feel like many people in the Bible: “God, I can’t do this!” This passage  reminds us that through the cross, Christ has “equipped” us for His service. We are equipped not just for ourselves, but for fellow believers and non-believers. We, especially the church, are to use what we are equipped with, to equip others. Or as we know it, we are "Lighted to Lighten". This maturity leads to Christ fullness. We can see that as we mature and know Him more, we help others mature and be full of Christ.  The best part is that we don't have to do this by ourselves. Just as the body has different organs that work together, each of us have talents that make our body whole. He needs each of us to perform the way He intended, fueled by His Love, in order for the job to get done. 

PRAYER

Dear God, Help us to know You more so that we can become more spiritually mature. Help us to realize the talents You have equipped us with and how to use it for Your glory. Help us to fulfill the mission You have entrusted to us.  Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
"For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ." 1 Corinthians 12:12

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