Ephesians 4:15-16 Rather, living the truth in love, we should grow in every way into him who is the head, Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, with the proper functioning of each part, brings about the body’s growth and builds itself up in love
In the previous verses, Paul explains that Jesus gave some of the people specific gifts so they can help set a solid foundation for the church. He uses the phrase “build up the body of Christ.” He didn’t mean a physical building. The first saints that Jesus gave specific jobs in his ministry were to help build up the Church, so that people could have the unity of faith in God. His call was to strengthen the faith and belief. To help others mature in Christ. When the church continues to help its body mature and grow together, where every part does it share, it will thrive.
It is hard to turn sinners to Christianity if the Church itself doesn’t show stability. Why would anyone want to be part of a group when the rules keep changing to meet the world’s desires. Just like in politics, people will make a great deal over a candidate who “flip-flops” his/her political beliefs. Think of it another way: as you need a stable body to accept a new organ or transplant, you need a stable church to be able to take in a sinner, someone longing to find the truth. Otherwise, the person longing to find Christ may reject the whole thing because the church hasn’t prepared itself as a functioning body for Christ.
We are all called as Christians to grow in Christ’s love, to strengthen the body of the church. Not for ourselves or our own image, but instead to unify the church around a common faith. Faith in God. What can you do to help build up the church? It takes us all. We are all one body.
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