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- Apr 25, 2006
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10 July 2007
Ephesians 4 v 13-15
This work must continue until we are all joined together in the same faith and in the same knowledge of the Son of God. We must become like a mature person, growing until we become like Christ and have his perfection.
Then we will no longer be babies. We will not be tossed about like a ship that the waves carry one way and then another. We will not be influenced by every new teaching we hear from people who are trying to fool us. They make plans and try any kind of trick to fool people into following the wrong path. No! Speaking the truth with love, we will grow up in every way into Christ, who is the head.
Phew, that's OK then - we don't have to continue serving and trying to build up God's people for ever. There's an end in sight; once we are all joined together in the same faith and the same knowledge of the Son of God we can stop!
Persistence is a sign of maturity, it's hard to press on when things get tough and we feel we are making no headway, but that is our calling, and here we are reminded that each one of us, (and yes, that means you!) is called to grow and allow God to change us, to become more Christ-like . . . feel perfect yet? No? So press on. And make sure you know what you believe. If you hear something rather odd being said or taught, check it out with a leader. Going along with the latest "spiritual" fad, inside or outside the church, is not an option for the Christian if it is not in line with Scripture, however plausible or popular it might seem. We must lovingly help each other to walk along the right path, love being crucial to our growing in maturity and in unity.
Father, growing up is hard, help me to persist when things seem tough. Help me to stay focussed on what is true in your sight, and protect me from influences which would take me away from your path. I pray for more love for others in myself and in my church as we grow and mature together. Amen.
Written by Rosemary Thomson
Ephesians 4 v 13-15
This work must continue until we are all joined together in the same faith and in the same knowledge of the Son of God. We must become like a mature person, growing until we become like Christ and have his perfection.
Then we will no longer be babies. We will not be tossed about like a ship that the waves carry one way and then another. We will not be influenced by every new teaching we hear from people who are trying to fool us. They make plans and try any kind of trick to fool people into following the wrong path. No! Speaking the truth with love, we will grow up in every way into Christ, who is the head.
Phew, that's OK then - we don't have to continue serving and trying to build up God's people for ever. There's an end in sight; once we are all joined together in the same faith and the same knowledge of the Son of God we can stop!
Persistence is a sign of maturity, it's hard to press on when things get tough and we feel we are making no headway, but that is our calling, and here we are reminded that each one of us, (and yes, that means you!) is called to grow and allow God to change us, to become more Christ-like . . . feel perfect yet? No? So press on. And make sure you know what you believe. If you hear something rather odd being said or taught, check it out with a leader. Going along with the latest "spiritual" fad, inside or outside the church, is not an option for the Christian if it is not in line with Scripture, however plausible or popular it might seem. We must lovingly help each other to walk along the right path, love being crucial to our growing in maturity and in unity.
Father, growing up is hard, help me to persist when things seem tough. Help me to stay focussed on what is true in your sight, and protect me from influences which would take me away from your path. I pray for more love for others in myself and in my church as we grow and mature together. Amen.
Written by Rosemary Thomson
