Phil Rowlands

Hello, my friends!

Today, I'd like to share some thoughts on a powerful passage from the book of Ephesians. As we delve into chapter 4, we'll explore God's incredible plan for His church and how He equips us to fulfill our purpose in Christ. This passage is truly a cornerstone for understanding God's vision for His people and how we can grow together in faith and love.

Friends, have you ever wondered about the gifts God has given to His church? In Ephesians 4:11-12, we read, “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” These gifts, often referred to as the five-fold ministry, serve a vital purpose in God's grand design for His people.

The word “equipping” here comes from the Greek word “katartismos,” which paints a vivid picture of something being prepared for use. It's like mending a broken bone or repairing a torn fishing net – not just for the sake of fixing, but to restore functionality and purpose. In the same way, these ministry gifts are meant to repair and prepare us for our God-given roles in the body of Christ.

Think about it this way: when we come to faith in Christ, we're born again and made new creations. But let's be honest, we often bring baggage from our past into our new life. Our hearts have been shaped by past experiences, and we interpret life through these filters. That's where the ministry gifts come in. Through their work, our minds are renewed, and our hearts are transformed. It's a beautiful process of becoming whole, of shedding the baggage of our past and being equipped to face the challenges of a world that's often hostile to our faith.

But there's more to this equipping than just personal growth. Paul goes on to share God's ultimate purpose for His church in verse 13: “till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” This verse reveals three key aspects of God's vision for us: unity, maturity, and conformity to Christ.

Friends, let's ponder for a moment the significance of unity in the body of Christ. It's not something we create or force – it's a reality we're called to express. We are one body, with one head, sharing one life in Christ. How often do we forget this truth and act as isolated individuals or, worse yet, attack other members of Christ's body? Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 12:12, “For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.”

The key to experiencing and expressing this unity is found in our focus on Jesus. As we gather around Him, learn of Him, and share our experiences of His grace, we naturally grow closer to one another. It's not about enforcing uniformity or suppressing our unique gifts. Rather, it's about allowing the life of Christ to flow through us, connecting us in love and purpose.

Consider what Paul says in Colossians 3:16: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” As we focus on Christ and His word, we naturally share our experiences and insights with one another. Our conversations and even our songs become centred on Jesus, building up the body in love.

This brings us to the second aspect – maturity. Paul uses the analogy of growing from childhood to adulthood. He warns against remaining spiritual infants, “tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting” (Ephesians 4:14). Maturity involves growing in our understanding of God's word, basing our lives on truth rather than fleeting emotions, and developing discernment to recognise false teachings.

How do we grow in maturity? By speaking the truth in love to one another. As we share the word of Christ that dwells richly in us, we build each other up and encourage one another in the faith. It's a beautiful picture of the body edifying itself in love, as described in Ephesians 4:16: “from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.”

Friends, this process of growing in maturity is crucial in our walk with Christ. It's not just about accumulating knowledge, but about allowing that knowledge to transform us from the inside out. As we grow, we become less susceptible to the whims of our emotions and the deceptions of false teachers. We develop a solid foundation in Christ that enables us to stand firm in the face of life's challenges.

Consider the words of Hebrews 5:14: “But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” As we mature in Christ, we develop spiritual discernment, able to distinguish truth from error and make wise choices in our daily lives.

Now, let's talk about the third aspect – conformity to Christ. This isn't about losing our individuality, but rather about being “filled with all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:19). Just as Jesus lived in dependence on the Father, we're called to abide in Christ. As we do, His life flows through us, producing the fruit of the Spirit and transforming us into His image.

Jesus Himself taught us this principle in John 15:4-5: “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine; you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” This is the secret to true Christian growth – not striving in our own strength but abiding in Christ and allowing His life to flow through us.

As we abide in Christ, we begin to reflect His character more and more. Paul describes this process in 2 Corinthians 3:18: “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” It's a gradual process, but a sure one, as we fix our eyes on Jesus and allow His Spirit to work in us.

Now, let's consider how these three aspects – unity, maturity, and conformity to Christ – work together in the life of the church. When we're united in Christ, focused on Him rather than our differences, we create an environment where spiritual growth can flourish. As we mature together, speaking the truth in love to one another, we become more stable and discerning, less prone to division and deception. And as we individually and collectively reflect more of Christ's character, we become a powerful witness to the world of God's transforming love.

But here's a sobering thought: when we don't experience this life in Christ, we often substitute it with mere activity. We can become so focused on programs, events, and outward appearances of spirituality that we miss the true life Christ offers. Paul warns against this in Colossians 2:23: “These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.”

Friends, let's not settle for the counterfeit when God offers us the real thing. The life of Christ flowing through His body, the church, is far more powerful and satisfying than any program or activity we could devise on our own. As we gather around Jesus, grow in maturity, and allow His life to shape us, we'll truly become the church He intends us to be – united, mature, and conformed to His image.

Now, you might be wondering, “How can I practically apply these truths in my life?” Let's explore some ways to do this. First and foremost, focus on Jesus. Make it a priority to spend time in God's Word, particularly studying the life and teachings of Christ. As you do, you'll find yourself naturally growing in unity with other believers. This focus on Christ is the foundation for all spiritual growth and unity in the body.

Next, engage in community. Don't try to live the Christian life in isolation. Find a local church where you can connect with other believers, receive teaching, and use your gifts to serve others. Remember, we are part of a body, and each part needs the others to function properly. As you engage with other believers, you'll find opportunities for growth, encouragement, and service.

Another crucial aspect is speaking the truth in love. When you learn something from God's Word, don't keep it to yourself. Share it with others in a loving way, and be open to receiving truth from them as well. This mutual sharing and encouragement is how the body builds itself up in love, as Paul describes in Ephesians 4:16.

Pursue maturity actively. Make a conscious effort to grow in your understanding of God's Word and in your ability to apply it to your life. Don't be content with spiritual infancy. Seek out solid teaching, study the Scriptures diligently, and practice applying God's truth to your daily life. As you do, you'll find yourself becoming more stable and discerning in your faith.

Cultivate a habit of abiding in Christ. Recognise that apart from Him, you can do nothing of eternal value. Make it your daily practice to depend on Christ, to draw your strength and guidance from Him. This isn't about religious rituals, but about maintaining a constant awareness of your connection to Christ and your need for His life flowing through you.

Finally, allow Christ's character to be reflected in your life. As you abide in Christ, His Spirit will produce His fruit in your life – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). This isn't about trying harder to be good, but about yielding to the work of the Spirit in your life, allowing Him to transform you from the inside out.

Be blessed today, my brothers and sisters. Let's embrace the life of Jesus Christ in all its fullness. May we not settle for religious activities or programs that merely give the appearance of progress. Instead, let's experience the reality of Christ's life flowing through His body, the church. As we gather around Jesus, grow in maturity, and allow His life to shape us, we'll truly become the church He intends us to be – united, mature, and conformed to His image.

Remember the words of Paul in Philippians 1:6: “being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” God is faithful, and He will continue to work in us and through us as we yield ourselves to Him. Let's press on together, growing in unity, maturity, and Christlikeness, until that day when we see Him face to face.

Phil