Ephesians 4:1-16 (NRSV)
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Chapter 4I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, Verse 2with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, Verse 3making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Verse 4There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, Verse 5one Lord, one faith, one baptism, Verse 6one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all. Verse 7But each of us was given grace according to the measure of Christ's gift. Verse 8Therefore it is said, "When he ascended on high he made captivity itself a captive; he gave gifts to his people." Verse 9(When it says, "He ascended," what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower parts of the earth? Verse 10He who descended is the same one who ascended far above all the heavens, so that he might fill all things.) Verse 11The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, Verse 12to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, Verse 13until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ. Verse 14We must no longer be children, tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind of doctrine, by people's trickery, by their craftiness in deceitful scheming. Verse 15But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, Verse 16from 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.
Devotion
Look at the multitude of talents people have. Every person you know has numerous gifts and talents. I love having the opportunity to sit down with friends (and people I thought I knew) and listen to them unfold a tapestry of wisdom and experience. I often think, "Wow, I could never have imagined that" or "What would it look like if that experience and wisdom was shared beyond this conversation?" And even more, I wonder how much we appreciate the varied gifts in ourselves and those we see every day? How often do we encourage each other to use our God-given gifts?
Gifts are not necessarily given equally, but they are given. Paul reminds us that gifts are given because of God's desire for the work of ministry and the building up of the body of Christ. All of God's people are called and particularly gifted. How are you using your gifts to build up the body of Christ?
Prayer
God of abundance, grant us eyes to see the talents and wisdom within ourselves and others. Grant us courage to lift up and name what we see, not to our glory but to God's glory alone. Amen.