Paul the
apostle desired for the Ephesian church members to “be no more
children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of
doctrine”. He knew there were “sleight-filled” men
who used “cunning craftiness” and who lay“in wait to
deceive” people who were unsuspecting. In chapter four and
verse fifteen of his letter, Paul continued this idea as he told them
to “speak the truth in love” and “grow
up” where we read:
But
speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things,
The
verse begins, “But speaking the truth in love, may grow
up into him in all things,...” Paul
began with the word, “But”
which is a disassociation conjunction that means what is about to be
written takes precedence over what was previously stated, “moreover,
nonetheless and nevertheless” “speaking the truth”
which means “teaching and professing that which is true” “in
love” which is the Greek word
“agape” which means “affection, goodwill, benevolence and
brotherly unconditional love”, “may grow up”
or “increase and become greater” “into him”
which refers to “Jesus Christ” “in all things”
or “in each, every, any, the whole, everyone and all
things”. The Ephesians were to
“speak” to one
another concerning things that are “true” and
do so “in love” so
they could “grow”
in their relationship with Jesus.
The verse goes on to say, “...which
is the head, even
Christ:” Paul continued, “which
is the head” or “the supreme, master,
lord, chief and prominent one” “even
Christ” who is “the anointed One, the
Messiah and the Son of God”. Jesus is the “head”
of the church, and everyone is subordinate to
Him.
When
we consider these words of Paul, we see the importance of sharing
“truth” with others. We also note that we are to do in “in
love” which keeps in mind the importance of the individual with
whom we are sharing. We are to be “growing” in our
relationship with Jesus, and because He is the “head” of
the church, we are to continue increasing in our “love”
toward others and Him. May we realize how important “growing up”
in Jesus is, and as we do, we will easily know when “cunning”
men attempt to “deceive” us.
Next
time Paul shares about “makes increase of the body unto
the edifying of itself in love”,
so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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