We cannot go it alone (Ephesians 4:11-16)

“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:”

Everyone in the Body of Christ is to have a role according the gifts and grace God has given to us. Paul clearly spells out that we are to learn and grow within the roles and according to the skills God has granted to our members. This order is provided to “perfect us” in order that the work of the ministry is performed properly and effectively ( giving due glory to God) and in such a manner as to benefit the entire Church along the way.
‘Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:”

We are to continue Paul writes, until all of us are unified in our faith and in our understanding of who Jesus Christ is and what he has done for us and in us. Continuing in our apprenticeship according to this learning structure until such time as we emulate Christ in all our ways! (In other words until we see Him face to face).

“That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:”

Once the Holy Spirit convicts us to make a statement of faith and declare Christ the victor over sin and death and receive his free gift of salvation because we know that we are sinful and on a path to eternal separation in hell without His death and resurrection; once we have this understanding and accept our need for it, our journey of growing from childhood to maturity begins. Our faith demands that we grow. If we do not Paul writes we are subject to “the sleight of men,” (deception and trickery – “think magician”), false doctrine (so many to count) and those who “lie in wait to deceive.” How many have been deceived by false doctrine, accepting a twisting of scripture as the truth because it came from a favorite preacher without discernment and self-study (consider Act 17 and the Bereans who were diligent in their study so as not to be deceived). Believers must learn to learn using their own intellect, prayer, wise counsel and the Word of God to guide them from infancy to adulthood in the faith or face eternal separation from God because they were deceived by one they trusted but did not take the time to verify what he/she said. Our walk with Christ is personal and our responsibility. Remember, "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. "Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME…” (Matthew 7: 21-23)

“From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.”

The Church will grow and sustain itself as each member begins to pray for wisdom and understanding and diligently pursues a relationship with Jesus Christ using the members of the body so gifted and matured in their faith as support. Together we will grow in Christ and as we do our Body will flourish and attract others to Christ as they see our example.

Father, we have gone it alone for so long and we have not matured as imitators of Christ as you have provided for us to do. We are truly sorry for our sin and desire to change. Lead us in your ways Lord and help us to develop the discipline to pick up our crosses and follow you using the resources you have given us. In Jesus name I pray.

The death of a friend and the sovereignty of God

“…in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.” Ephesians 1: 10-12)

Last week I gave a testimony for a longtime close friend who died after a year-long battle with cancer. His death brought me face to face with the reality that God is sovereign and that his purposes on earth will be fulfilled no matter how much we pray against it and no matter how it often hurts. “Your ways are not My ways," says the Lord,” comes to mind. (Is. 55:8)

There is a popular worship song that reminds us, “Who am I that you are mindful of me?” The song declares a friendship between God and the believer exists that to me seems unfathomable. When I consider the creation account in Genesis 1 or the fear and awe that overcame Isaiah when he encountered God (Is 6: 1-6) and the words of this song burn in my soul. Job captured the experience of confronting the power and sovereignty of God saying, “I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee. Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? Therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not. Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me. I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.” (Job 42:1-6)

Paul reminds us in his letter to the Ephesians that we are believers because God gave us the faith to believe. We live, move, and breathe at his command and according to His purposes and for His pleasure. Everything that happens to us, every illness, accident, birth, relationship works together for the good for those of us who love Him. God did not take my friend from me, he allowed him to come into my life for His purposes and to enrich my life in Christ and now he is home with the Lord.

Today is not a day to weep; rather it is a day to celebrate life in Christ and the Sovereign King who is both mindful of me and big enough to use all things together for the good of we who believe and to bring the whole world to its knees in worship. God allowed my friend to have cancer and gave him the faith to say he was thankful that God allowed him to have cancer! Why? Because he knew that God would use this terrible disease to bring another man closer by increasing his faith.

“Praise God from who all blessings flow!”