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Ephesians 3-4: Even I Can Be Useful to God

Christian Living, Comfort, Ephesians, Growth, Kingdom of God

self-portrait by G. RussellToday’s reading is Ephesians 3:1-4:32.

This reading provides hope and encouragement for all of us, I think. I love Ephesians 4:16: “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.”

It is certainly true that God provides special roles and gifts to help the body grow. There are apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds, teachers (potentially the teacher and shepherd refer to the same role). Yet, the body is not held together simply by those fulfilling these special roles. The body is held together and grows by that which every joint supplies. Every one of us is useful and helpful in Christ’s body. We don’t have to preach the sermon or shepherd the congregation to be a necessary part of what is going on. We are all essential to growth.

How great is that? I can be of help and use in God’s kingdom simply because I am God’s child. So can you. Today, why don’t we spend some time figuring out what we can do to help the body grow. We can all be of use.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

What struck you in today’s reading?

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4 Comments

4 Comments

  1. Michelle  •  Feb 25, 2010 @9:54 pm

    Just the other day someone pointed out to me that a lot of times we go to Eph. 4:11 and point out the different roles and then stop right there. The apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers role is to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body. I noticed tonight when I was reading that Eph 4:11-16 is just one big long sentence where the conclusion is that “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.” So the question then becomes what can we do to equip the saints so that “each part is working properly”?

  2. kendra  •  Mar 3, 2010 @12:15 pm

    I have been struggling with my purpose and not sure if I was part of the body of Christ at church fully! But this reminded me that even the little things we do on our ministry are helping someone. And whether u know it or not u are being watched.

  3. kendra  •  Mar 3, 2010 @12:25 pm

    I love how michelle put it. We are actually studying that in prophet class and I remember that by heart. But if u don’t stay in his word, u Will forget and fall short… I’m learning consistancy. Lol

  4. Edwin Crozier  •  Mar 3, 2010 @3:10 pm

    Hey Kendra, just keep doing what you can, when you can do it, for whom you can do it according to God’s word. That’s what God asks of us.

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