Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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 Priest: Minister of the Kingdom of God

Ephesians 4:7-16
 

Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ... (v. 15)
 

The Epistle to the Church in Ephesus speaks about various truths that leads the reader in the redemptive work done through and by Christ. It also mentions as one is in faith in Christ, how to keep the unity of the Church and to have a proper conduct in the various spaces in everyday life. 
Here, the portion speaks mainly about the unity of the Body of Christ, Church. It is about making practical the truths spoken so far.  For the Church to grow in Christ, his grace was given to all its members through various gifts. Such gifts are for the common good as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12 and for the Church to do God’s will to the fullest. There what Paul mentions is about the various gifts of activities to be done in the Church. Here in this passage, Paul mentions that various gifts are the appointed leaders in the Church. Two types of gifts were seen so far, and all are for the functioning of the body of Christ. 

Apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds and teachers are the various appointed offices mentioned here by Paul within the Church. Though the word priest is not mentioned directly, we know the term minister is more commonly used in his writings. In the medieval and modern times, a minister or a priest takes up all the mentioned gifts in v.11 of today’s passage in the Church. 

Priests are the ones who are called to serve God’s Kingdom and give their own life for his glory alone. To serve in all aspects they encounter each day maybe as an apostle or a prophet, sometimes as an evangelist or to shepherd the given flock and to teach them to stand in faith in the Word of God. As the portion goes on, it mentions these must be done that all may reach the Godly maturity as seen in Jesus Christ. That will help the Church to stand against the wrongful doctrines and work together in truth and love. Truth and love must be the language of a priest while at home and in public. If you think it is the need of time, can we live a priestly life?
 

 
Prayer

Dear Lord, make me a channel of your peace, truth and love for your Church to grow like you. Amen.

Thought for the Day

Jesus lived the ways of God’s kingdom mostly alone, can we together in numbers as a Church take up the call to create God’s kingdom wherever we are?
 

Rev. Naveen Mathew Thomas,
Vicar, Ottawa Mar Thoma Church

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