Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Spiritual Warfare – Ephesians 4:14-16 – No Longer Be Infants – Growing As Disciples
Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him 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 4:14-16 (NIV)
Grow Up
That is exactly what I want to do. What is it that you want to do? I want to grow up in your body. I no longer want to be an infant. I don’t want to be weak. I don’t want to be tossed back and forth by the storms of life. I don’t want to be driven by every wind of popular opinion. I want to be strong. I want to be mature. I want to be complete. Those are very good desires.
How will you grow up in my body? That is a good question. Do you have any answers? I have several answers. I would like to hear your answers. First, I need to remain vitally connected to you and your body. How will you do that? I will live in an intimate relationship with you. I will draw near to you. I will pray to you. I will worship you. I will meet with you in your word. I will listen to your instructions. I will follow your guidance. I will walk with you through life. That is a good answer. What else will you do so you can grow up in my body? I will live vitally connected in your body. I will remain grounded in your body. How so? I will live in intimate relationships with my fellow believers. I will allow myself to be known. I will seek to know others. I will accept what you want me to receive through the ministry of others in your body. I will use the spiritual gifts that you have given me to help build up others in your body. That will be very good.
You have learned a very important principle that will help you to grow up in my body. What’s that? You must receive and you must give. As you live in an intimate relationship with me, I will teach and train and prepare you to give to others what you have received from me. Only in receiving and giving will you be able to fully grow up in my body. Are you committed to giving to others what you have received from me? Yes Lord, I am. Then you will grow up in my body. You will become strong and mature and complete in me. That will be very good. Yes, it will.
Lord, thank you for rooting me in your body of believers where I can be protected, encouraged, and strengthened, as I love, follow and serve you. Help me to know and use my spiritual gifts so I will be able to build up your body so that each part does it work. Amen
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