(Ephesians Chapter 4)
The essential ingredients for a healthy, growing Church are found in the letter of the Apostle Paul to Ephesians. This letter is rich with spiritual privileges, provisions and persuasions for the believers in Jesus Christ, to become the glorious Body of Christ in a world that is full of evil and divisions. The 21st century Church has lost the authentic spirit of unity, the seasoned maturity and the desired sanctity. It is time that we seek a true restoration in these virtues.
A. Restoring Unity in the Body of Christ. (Ephesians 4:1-6). A divided body, that means, a body with all its members that are distanced from each other and operates (functions) independently, is a very sick body and will be weakened and eventually die! Unity is strength; united we stand and divided we fall. In this portion of Scripture the apostle challenges the believers to function as a united body since their calling demands it. The Christians in Ephesus were called out from and were made of Jews and Gentiles, rich and poor, religious and non-religious etc. But in Christ they all are one and function as one body with various members and distinct duties.
Paul’s appeal for unity means there were possibly threats to the united function of the Church. Therefore, he reminds them of the firm foundations upon which the believers are placed: one Spirit, one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of all. Restoration of unity in the body of Christ rests in the strong foundation on which the believers are called unto and built upon. May we be reminded of this oneness?
B. Restoring Maturity in the Body of Christ (Ephesians 4:7-16). It is common among believers in Christ to see some behave like children, since they have not grown in their faith. Lack of maturity can be a hindrance to the health and growth of the Church. God has appointed various ministry gifts (Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers) to build up the Church and to equip the saints to be effective in their life and service to God and the community. Maturity is not achieved overnight, and it is a process.
Sadly many of our churches and missions have folks who are sincere but not mature in their thinking or behaviour. Paul’s admonition is : “ that we should no longer be children , tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine…” (v14). Satan can use immature, unstable Christians to break up the mission and mandate of the Church of God. May we restore the spirit of maturity by being equipped spiritually, emotionally, doctrinally, and in all aspects of our Christian life and purpose of life?
C. Restoring Sanctity in the Body of Christ (Ephesians 4: 17-32). The Church is called out from the world to be a holy nation, a chosen people and a royal priesthood. The body of Christ should reflect the sanctity (holiness, sacredness and purity) in all aspects of its function, in order for it to be an agent of change in a dying world. In restoring the sanctity, the person/church must be renewed in the spirit of his/its mind (v 23). The changed and renewed life is the result of a changed mind.
The apostle Paul has appealed the Christians in Ephesus for a change in their attitudes and behaviours and to be renewed by the Holy Spirit to keep up the sanctity that is demanded to be conformed to the nature of Christ. A restored body will reflect the Christ-likeness in speech, actions, reactions and outlooks. May the Lord help us to be a restored community of faith.
The Church must reflect Unity, Maturity and Sanctity to be relevant and reach a world in chaos. May the Lord help us as we yield our wills to Him?
Pastor Joe Kurian
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