Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Equipping the Saints: Building Up the Body of Christ

Bible Reading: Ephesians 4:7–16

Key Verse: "From Christ the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work." — Ephesians 4:16 

DEVOTION

In Ephesians 4, the Apostle Paul presents a powerful vision of unity and maturity within the Body of Christ. His message to the early Church in Ephesus continues to be profoundly relevant for us today. Paul reminds us that building up the Church is not an individual task, but a collective responsibility. It is not about him, her, or me; but us, together, being equipped and formed as the Body of Christ to fulfill His commission in our present age.
Verse 16 captures the heart of this mission: we grow and are built up in love as each part does its work, supported and joined together through Christ. This growth is not dependent on our personal strengths or abilities, but on the power and grace that Christ imparts to each of us. As Jesus teaches in John 15, He is the true vine, and we are the branches. Just as branches cannot survive apart from the vine, we too cannot flourish apart from Christ. When we remain connected to Him, we are nourished, strengthened, and made fruitful. Apart from Him, we wither and drift away from our calling.
Paul reinforces this dependence on Christ by encouraging believers to grow in maturity and no longer be spiritual infants, easily swayed or deceived by the falsehoods and distractions of the world (v.14). This warning is strikingly similar to the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13), where some seeds fail to grow because of the thorns and cares of the world. Today, we face countless distractions, ambition, pleasure, and materialism that threaten to choke our spiritual growth.
In verse 12, Paul affirms that Christ has equipped each of us for works of service, so that the Church may be built up. Each believer has a unique role to play in God’s redemptive plan. Whether in our families, workplaces, or communities, we are called to serve faithfully and grow in love, truth, and unity.
Paul’s assurance in verse 15 gives us hope: as we speak the truth in love and grow into Christ, we are being strengthened to be effective instruments for God’s purposes. We need not be discouraged or overwhelmed by the challenges before us. The same Christ who fed multitudes, calmed storms, healed the blind, raised the dead, and transformed lives, is the One who empowers us today.
So let us take up our cross with courage, trusting that our Lord; Jehovah Jireh, the God who provides, will continue to sustain, equip, and guide us as we build His Kingdom on earth.


PRAYER
Almighty and gracious Lord, equip us to be faithful workers in Your vineyard. Strengthen us daily to fulfill the tasks You have entrusted to us. May all that we do bring glory to Your name. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
“The Bible tells us that we are part of the body of Christ, that if we let the Spirit move through us, we can become the hands of Christ on earth." -Cathleen Falsani

Abraham Kurien
Immanuel Mar Thoma Church, Houston, Texas.

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