September 25, 2024 -Maturity in Christ

Isaiah 45:11-48:11

Ephesians 4:1-16

Psalm 68:19-35

Proverbs 24:3-4

One Year Bible Audio & Daily Reading (oneyearbibleonline.com)

Ephesians 4:11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Christ has given us leaders, prophets and teachers so that the body of Christ may be built. To be united in faith we must be mature. We cannot be mature unless we "reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God." Which means we are to be continuously looking to know Christ more. Every member of the body of Christ has been called to know Christ as their first and most important relationship. In doing so we each will grow in maturity "to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ".

Ephesians 4:14 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 people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.

As we mature the false teachings, pressures of society and stressors of life will not be able to toss us around and deceive us. Because we will be so familiar with the truth of Christ and know His word so well that we will be able to identify the lie and not be fooled by "the cunning and craftiness of people". In turn we will be able to discern God's will. In order for the church to become "the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ" each member of the body must mature personally. The head is Christ and we must follow Him. Seeking His wisdom and guidance. Our earthly bodies don't do anything without our head sending a signal or message to some part of our body to act. We need to function the same way and we have the Holy Spirit as that direct connection to Christ and His will.

Proverbs 24:3 By wisdom a house is built,

    and through understanding it is established;

4 through knowledge its rooms are filled

    with rare and beautiful treasures.

I read the word house today as the house of God the church. It needs to be built on the wisdom of God. He will grant us understanding as we spend time with Him. Seeking Christ and His wisdom has to start with the leadership as an example to the rest of the body. That is how our house will be built and established and in doing so "its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures." Faithful followers of Christ.