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 Ephesians 4 - It’s Time to Grow

Well, I’d like to be honest with you because time is short and because I genuinely want to grow as a Christian.  Jesus calls us to mature, which I want to do.  But here it is.  I definitely fail.  I don’t do what I’m supposed to.  I am without doubt a sinner.

I am supposed to lead a life worthy of my calling.  I don’t.

I’m not humble.  I’m often a braggart.  My words can be harsh.  I have thoughts of rage as dangerous as a Timber Wolf.  I can let anger give the devil a foothold way too often.  I’m too often impatient and unloving.

As I think about it, I seem to make little effort to bind myself together with other Christians.  Do I make a serious effort at peace?  May God work on my heart to make me more like Him.

As we’ll talk about in a minute, this passage makes plain that there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father who is over all and in all and living through all (4:5-6).  Thank God!  

        God, the generous Jesus Christ, gives each of His people grace and special abilities.  I’m ashamed to say I have not lived up to my God-given abilities.  I can teach.  And I can lead.  And I can organize and motivate.  I can equip people to do God’s work.  But largely I have not done so.

    Lord Jesus, I am sorry.  I’m sorry for my lack of discipline and self-control.  And my selfishness, gluttony, lust, greed, lack of love, and anger.  And my criticism of others.  I’m sorry.  I know my responsibility is to equip other believers to do God’s work with the special giftings God has given me and to build up others to the best of my ability.  I know I currently come nowhere near the complete standard of Christ: maturity in the Lord, unity in faith and knowledge of God’s Son.  

        I’m thankful that God is mighty and powerful, all-knowing, and good.  I’m thankful that He knows just what each of His dear children needs, the gifts, discipline, challenges for growth, and the love and motivation we need to persevere.  I pray that God’s grace and peace pour over His people today so that we can do our own special work well to help the whole body be unified, healthy, and growing - full of love.

        We see in this chapter that if you believe in Jesus Christ as your Saviour then you are born again - called by God to serve and honor Him.  This notion, this malignancy, that only one in a thousand Christians is “called” to lead must be corrected.  Are you a Christian (as the believers were first called in Antioch - Acts 11:26)?  If so, then you are called by Jesus to live in a way worthy of your calling.  So am I.

        Yet people invent all sorts of tall tales that make their calling more important than “mere Christians.”  This chapter of Ephesians tells us plainly that we are all called by Jesus - to be humble servants.

        Make allowance for each other’s faults because of your love (4:2).  Make an effort to keep yourself united with the Spirit.

        Equally destructive to the concept that only pastors are called is the teaching that there are many bodies of Christ.  This is false and must be exposed and corrected.  There is only one church, one people of God - only one.  Sorry to break it to you, but Baptists do not have an exclusive franchise to preach teach, and make disciples of Christ.  Nor Lutherns or Presbyterians.  You are called to a glorious hope for the future - so am I.  So is the believer in every denomination, nation, and land who trusts the one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father.  There is only one God and one people of God.

        And God our Father loves His people.  So much so that He gives us special abilities through the generosity of His Son.

        What is Jesus Christ like?  He’s generous.  Imagintievly generous.  Infinitely so.  And He is truthful, loving, mature, and kind.  He is the Master planner, architect, engineer, and physician.

        Let’s grow and mature in Christ today.  Let’s be honest.  May we act like Jesus' gifted people today, fearing to do wrong, confessing and turning from our sins, and hating corruption.  Amen.


In front of the 'Gates of Hell' - Rodin Museum, Philadelphia, PA.


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