GPS Guide – April 8, 2019

WE ARE EQUIPPED

Monday

Read: Ephesians 4:12-16

^“12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up ¹³ until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. ¹⁴ Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. ¹⁵ Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.  ¹⁶ From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. (NIV Ephesians 4:12-16)

Study: The apostle Paul wrote that no one follows Christ alone. Finding that unity with Christ and one another is a challenge to our human nature, so God calls us to honesty and accountability. We can help one another to become spiritually mature so that nothing can knock us off course. Changing the world by building God’s kingdom calls us to take our faith beyond just one weekend worship service. How do you nurture spiritual maturity in yourself and others in your day-to-day life, building up the body of believers in love? Paul sees growth as increasing in discernment and discretion, which helps believers avoid being taken in by false shortcuts to growth. How can you motivate yourself and others to press on toward spiritual maturity when it isn’t easy or quick?

Pray: Lord God, dwell in my heart. Keep me daily growing more mature in you. Thank you for your love and grace—the safe environment in which I grow best. Amen