From this morning’s reading:
And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. Ephesians 4:11-16 [show] [11]And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, [12]to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, [13]until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, [14]so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. [15]Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, [16]from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. (ESV)
I’m sure I’ve written before of my thankfulness for the “apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastor-teachers” given to equip us, to build us up “until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God,” etc. Over the past few years this thankfulness has deepened with the realization that these men given to the church for its health are not limited to those living and breathing today. There’s a long line of faithful men who, thanks to the power of the pen (which is far mightier than that of the sword), “still speak today.” A host of names spring to mind–for you, too, I’m sure. God has given them all to us to “grow us up,” to “fit us together.” There is a unity to be had–unity of the faith (not just “faith”), and unity “of the knowledge of the Son of God.”
As one who had formerly leaned toward the “just me and Jesus” mentality, knowing that the means of my growth and perseverance is in the church (past, present, and future) makes me eager to press in to the middle of the fold where there is life, warmth, fellowship, safety, and (because there are sheep of all ages and of all walks of life there) much wisdom. It makes me eager to take up and read. There is something yet to be attained; there is growth and wisdom before me each day until I have attained it. Prevent me, Father, from ever thinking that I’ve arrived–help me to remember that “I have not yet attained it,” that I “do not yet know as I ought to know,” that I might provoked to “press toward the mark” until I have attained, and until I know and love “as I ought.” Help me to remember the “until” of my faith, the “not yet” of my walk with Jesus.
Where there is no guidance, a people falls,
but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.
Prov. 11:14, ESV [show] [14]Where there is no guidance, a people falls,
but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.
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