Scripture Text: Ephesians 4:14
It has been said that the believers have received the manifold grace of God. This grace that we are talking about speaks both of the office and the specific individuals whom the Lord has appointed according to His own pleasure and will to carry the office’s task [officer]. In church history, this pertains [grace] to what the apostle Paul has said in his epistle for the Ephesus: “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, (4:11)”. In our contemporary, and in the continues history of the body of the Lord, the grace [office and officer] continues as the Shepherds and teachers unceasingly accomplish the task of building up the church. This is what it means further to receive the manifold grace of the Lord: God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has made you fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel (3:6)! And this grace, this gospel, the unsearchable riches of Christ, was proclaimed to you by His graced servants (shepherds and teachers in our contemporary), who reflects further His all-sufficient grace, whom He is using to build up the body of Christ [Church], that you may mature in every way, and be filled with all the fullness of Christ!
In continuation, since it has been clearly perceived that the purpose of God’s graced servants is for equipping the church, the apostle Paul made further clarification of why the church must be built-up and equipped: “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 (4:14)”. Maturity and stature are vital evidence of God’s grace being perfected in us [working]. Though in some sense we are commanded to be like a child (possess a child-like faith), this is far different from being a childish one, who in every respect is being swayed, led, and influenced by different teachings and principles that it brings and promote. Firmness, maturity, and stability is the product of God’s grace, being able to withstand the wisdom of men which seeks to utterly disdain the gospel of Christ. Since the grace of God works through the lives of His people, raising graced servants to continually proclaim the unsearchable riches of Christ, this grace is being perfected in the hearts and mind of His people/church, that these truths which exalts God’s glory in Christ takes hold of the believers, enabling all to stand firm and being able to resist all human cunning and craftiness in deceitful schemes.
Behold, dear saint! The aim of God’s grace is to bring us to maturity and stature! That you may comprehend the fulness of Christ being taught in His body by the working of the Spirit who brings grace further! It has never been new to be in the pursuit of growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. For remember, the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. All the mentions are not the trait of the child, but of the mentioned mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ (4:13).
May your heart, dear saint, be truly captivated by this blessedness that you have in Him, and because of Him! May you find yourself, together with the psalmist, acclaiming, bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits! who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
Ultimately, the enjoyment of God in Christ is the only joy and happiness with which our souls can be truly and magnificently satisfied.
Desire to know Him more, who has loved you unconditionally and eternally! Thirst and long for Him! Be in awe of Him—the darling of Heaven! He is all yours… He is all-perfect, all-holy, all-glorious!
Hear this then, dear saint: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
Christ is all that we have! Christ is all that we need!
Take heart, dear saint!
Reflect
1. Are you living a life worthy of the calling with which you have been called to as a believer of the Lord?
2. Are you a good steward of God’s grace?
3. Do you continue to grow in need of His grace?
4. Do you desire and long to love Him more, as you ought to be?
Remember
Every blessing from God and our Father are means to keep us back to our chief end—to glorify God and enjoy Him forever! Live your life therefore for the praise of His glory, and continue to live out your blessedness in Him!
Pray
Father in heaven, I come before You in the name of Your Son. Thanking You continuously for Your ever sufficient and sustaining grace. Thank You, Father, for it has been made clear in Your words that grace was given to me for maturity and stature. That I may comprehend intimately the fulness of Christ. Father, I pray, that You grant me this blessedness even more, as I seek to continually to be firm and stable in all Your truths. Father, again, I praise You for giving me Your Son, to whom all praises and glory belongs, and in His name I pray. Amen.
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