DCLM Daily Manna 17 July 2023 Devotional By Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Becoming A Perfect Man
TOPIC: Becoming A Perfect Man (DCLM Daily Manna 17 July 2023)
KEY VERSE: “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13).
TEXT: Ephesians 4:11-16 (KJV)
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
MESSAGE:
Apostle Paul’s yearning and aspiration was to raise up a body of believers who would be ready to walk worthy of their calling and continue to grow in grace until they have attained the full stature of Christlikeness with maturity.
The apostle’s writings and prayers for the brethren reveal his commitment to getting the young Gentile believers strong and standing in Christ. From the passage before us, the perfection of the saints in Christ is not a one-man business. Paul emphasised the role of ministers and ministries given to us to help mature and develop the saints. No individual or Christian assembly can downplay these roles and functions if we must grow and develop believers. Putting the Scriptures aside produces spiritually sick believers. It is a clear deviation from the will of God and the teachings of early apostles.
Working in harmony with the Lord to train and develop Christlike and sanctified believers should be the focus of every church leader and worker. Overseers are commissioned to feed the flock, not feed on the flock. Failing to understand the purpose of ministry and/or the wilful ambition to build selfish empires for themselves have made some church leaders deviate from the faith. Ministry has thus been reduced to the pedestrian level of dancing and merry making, to the extent that some worshipers appear more or less like partygoers, having been misled by their leaders.
Essentially, God is calling us back to true worship. To achieve this goal, sincere and genuine ministers must be allowed to take their place as God’s appointed agents of change and transformation.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Ministers are a great blessing to the church.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
1 Chronicles 16-20
Deeper Life Daily Manna was written by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
