Daily Bread - FEB/27/07

Ephesians 4:16 - "From whom all the body fit together and joined together through that which every joint supplies according to the working of each part as one unit the body grows by building itself in love."

One of the themes of Ephesians is the "love of Christ." It is here that we find the key to not only our individual maturity and success but also to that of the local church to which we belong. First, on an individual basis, Paul opens this address to the Ephesians by drawing their attention to the fact that from the very foundation of the earth we were created to be holy and without blame before God in love (Ephesians 1:4). By being established in this love, we are able to comprehend with all saints the breadth, and length, and depth, and height of every dimension of God's plan and purpose for our lives (Ephesians 3:17). It is also through knowing the love of Christ that we are individually filled with all the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:19).

Then Paul brings us to this point in Ephesians Chapter Four where he shows us how to function together in love which results in the building up and the full maturity of the local church. The local church, which Paul revealed to be the fullness of God in Chapter One, is also in a maturing process. The maturity of the church is dependent upon the individuals within the church walking in love and then ministering that love one to another. The result of this maturity is the full expression of the glory and power of Jesus Christ in our meetings, who is the head of the church.

Walk in love,

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
abidingplace.org