Week #14
Posted June 14, 2010

Ephesians 4:12-16

          

Let us begin this week to look at the seventh time our word together is used in Ephesians. The word means the bringing together of two warring parties and making them one.

In Ephesians 4:12-16 we find the word together for the seventh time, which is our number of perfection in becoming like him. It is here we see the finished product of a unified body of believers who are one with him and one with each other. I want to look in our text at “the revelation of gathering together". In verse 4:12 I find the revelation of the together work. Paul tells us here of an edifying work. We have been given at the church those gifts of apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastor teacher. We know from the Scriptures that the office of apostle and prophets ended when the Bible was finished. The evangelist and pastor teacher are a gift to the church. Let us be careful with the gifts that God has given us. We are told they were given for the perfecting of the saints. The word means to build up and completely furnished. It is the responsibility of those who hold these offices to lay before the people this great truth, "In Him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily and we are complete in Him". Once we realize this we can help in the work of the Ministry of building others up. Paul tells us in verses 15-16 this edifying work must be done by speaking the truth in love. In verse 29 we must do it season with grace. I cannot help others to see they are complete in him, until I have fully laid hold to that truth for myself.

Let us see in verse 16 that it is an effectual work. Paul uses the phrase according to the effectual work in this verse. The word according is a preposition which denotes a fusion of a higher into a lower. God has fused Christ into His people which are the lowest. This works puts within us an effectual power, which causes us to bow in obedience to another.

When I come to the full realization of my completeness in Christ, I too can seek to bring others to this position. God says that he will honor that word with the effectual work of fusing Himself into sinners and making them saints.

I blessed the day He not only fused Himself into me, but caused me to see my completeness in Him. I can now say and live this truth, Christ is all I need, Christ is all I need, yes, all I need. I am certainly aware that often I only realize Christ is all I need, when Christ is all I have. Thank you Lord for making me to become one with you.