DCLM Daily Manna 27 June 2021 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Grow Up!
TOPIC: Grow Up!
TEXT: Ephesians 4:11-16
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.
KEY VERSE: “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.” – (Ephesians 4:14)
MESSAGE:
A child was taken to the family gar- den by her grandfather to plant some apple seeds. Once in the field, she was given some seeds to plant as many trees as she could. After planting about twenty-two seeds, grandfather announced it was time to go home. Work was done for the day. Every day, the child would return to water the seeds. But before doing so, she would dig up the seedlings to check how far they were growing underneath the ground. After some time, all the seeds died. One can only imagine the numbers of apples and apple trees they would have had!
The Lord Jesus had earlier likened His death and resurrection as the planting and reaping of a corn of wheat. And Paul, the apostle, alluding to that truth, revealed that the ministerial gifts were part of the harvest of resurrection. He further uncovered that these gifts were given with a purpose to perfect God’s people. We are not given gifts for personal aggrandisement. Our talents are for the building up of the entire body of Christ; so that believers can be rooted in the likeness of God. Thus, the evangelists or teachers in our local assemblies are meant to exhort and establish believers in the pure doctrines of God’s word.
Just as it is in the physical, spiritual babes who deliberately refuse the nourishment from God’s word, are usually identified by their unstable walk and beliefs. Although they have been in the Church for many years, they live as if they have never encountered Christ. Until we are planted, watered and grounded in the faith, we can never be of any real use to God.
God calls us into spiritual maturity and moral perfection. We must grow up into the fullness of Christ in all things. Until the word and doctrines of Christ affect and direct our everyday living, we are yet spiritually immature.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Whilst moral perfection is the goal, Christ remains our Standard.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
1 Kings 15-16
DCLM 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.
