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
Today’s reading gives guidance to the basic expectations of congregational shepherds: called “to equip the saints for the work of ministry”—to help you and me to become better servants like Jesus, through gift-identification, prayer, sacraments, group Bible study, and service opportunities.
During the Crimean War, Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing, was making her nightly rounds. She paused and looked down at a wounded soldier. Looking up at her he said, “You are Christ to me.” A biblical definition of a saint is “every follower of Jesus Christ, holy, and set apart for God’s special purpose, someone in whom Christ lives again.” As St. Paul says elsewhere: “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me.” Galatians 2:19b-20. This is the calling of all of us in the Body of Christ, servants as Christ to one another.
Prayer
O Lord, we hear your call to use our gifts, abilities, and resources in service of your kingdom. Feed us with Jesus, the Bread of Life, so that we are empowered to be the people you created and call us to be. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
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