For the Building up of the body of Christ

Ephesians 4: 7 But each of us was given grace according to the measure of Christ's gift.
11 The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,

Many Gifts – some sing in the praise band, some in the choir; some work on work with children and youth, some visit those who are ill; some bake cookies for VBS. All are called to use their gifts for the building up of the body of Christ.


I think we can expand our thinking a bit as well. You are God’s gift to the world! Do you use it to build people up or tear them down? At the office do you manipulate things to make yourself look better even at the cost of a coworker? In politics do you find yourself rehearsing all the things the government is doing wrong or do you ask yourself how you can help make things better. Negative campaigns do work in politics and in organizations. You can get your agenda through but only at the cost of your integrity.

Ephesians 4: 15 But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body's growth in building itself up in love.

Anoymous Postings

Don't feel you have to go through the process of creating an account to be able to read and post here. If you're cautious about such things or simply don't want to wade through the electronic paperwork then don't.

It is polite, however, to sign your name on any comment. What we want to avoid is the use of this blog format to post ideas that we would not be willing to say in love and in person. Also, when someone contributes an especially thoughtful comment it would be nice to be able to follow up with them in person and hear more!

P.S. - no we haven't gotten any negative comments yet - just heading off potential situations.

Unity not Uniformity

This morning I am praying through these words from Susan Hylen - Mellon Assistant Professor of New Testament , Vanderbilt University:
In Ephesians, unity is not the same as uniformity. The mystery of God that is revealed in Christ and results in the reconciliation of Jews and Gentiles does not obliterate the distinctions between these different groups. Instead, what is made known through the church is "the wisdom of God in its rich variety" (3:10). Part of the call of 4:1-16 is to tolerance, or "bearing with one another" (4:2). The assumption is not that all distinctions will cease, but that even with the persistence of differences, the church may nevertheless grow together as a body.

I don’t think I would even want uniformity. The only way we learn and grow is by listening to others who have different experiences. (OK, if I am honest with myself I do want people to agree with me for the most part or at least agree in spirit, but that's for comfort and assurance that I am at least generally on the right track.)

The key to hearing each other in our differences is the use of “I” language. “I think…, I believe…, Here is my experience …” When we start saying “Thus says the Lord …” we cut off dialogue. The challenge is trying to hear our own attitudes that can be saying “thus says the Lord …” even when we don’t mean to be quite so dogmatic.

The solution (as usual) is to maintain the humility and patience of Jesus.

Ephesians 4:2-3 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

People of Sacred Worth

Ephesians 4:1 I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism,

Is there anyone who really likes conflict? Certainly there are some people who seem to live in it more regularly than others but I doubt if anyone really enjoys it. Still it is a reality in all relationships in our lives.

I think back on the last Communion service we had at Drew Theological School where I went to Seminary. During a normal chapel service I would tend to sit toward the front just to the left of the altar area. This particular service, however, I arrived late and found myself in the back row. I recall watching my classmates going up to the front for Communion and was suddenly filled with a joyful insight. There, going up for Communion and preparing to disperse across the country to serve as pastors in churches, were people I had lived with, studied with, prayed with, sometimes argued with and disagreed with for three years. I was especially struck by a few people with whom I had frequently disagreed with. As I watched them take the Bread and the Cup God filled me with Grace and I did know that there was one Lord, one faith, one baptism.

The key to maintaining the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace is to act with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing one another in love. If we can truly see each other as people of sacred worth then we will find love even in our differences.

Listen for this song this coming Sunday:

I can see the God in you
In every single thing you do
God is love and love is true
And I can see the God in you

Can you see the God in me?
I know sometimes it’s hard to see
But if you look you will agree
That you can see the God in me