Today’s Bible Reading
Ephesians 4:11-16
11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. 14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.
15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Him who is the Head, that is, Christ. 16 From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
Applying God’s Word in My Life:
1. What is the purpose of spiritual gifts? (vv.11-13).
2. In what areas are you to grow and mature? (vv.13-16). What danger will you be able to overcome if you are mature in your faith? (v.14).
3. List some things you can do that will help you grow in “the knowledge of the Son of God” (v.13) and in “the whole body” of Christ (v.16).
Today’s Key Verse:
1 Peter 2:2
Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation.
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“Measure Me”
Can you measure me today?” Caleb, our paperboy, asked. It was not the first time he had made that request. A few years ago I had mentioned to him how tall he was getting. Since then, we’ve often measured his height on the doorframe of our house. After all this time, he still wants me to measure him.
Measurements can be indicators of growth. And it’s a good idea to measure our spiritual growth. For instance: do we spend time reading God’s Word and
talking with Him each day? Do we look forward to spending time with the Lord? What “fruit of the Spirit” can we see in our lives? Do we talk about Jesus with people who don’t know Him? How are we using our spiritual gifts? Do we have generous natures? How much better do we know God today than we did a year ago?
These questions are good indicators of spiritual growth. A child seems to grow up all of a sudden, but it’s actually a continual process. Just as Jesus grew in both wisdom and stature (Luke 2:52), we as believers are to continue to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18).
We are no longer to be children, but “we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.” (Ephesians 4:15). Have you measured yourself lately?
—Cindy Hess Kasper
The child of God who reads the Word And heeds the messages he’s heard Will grow in grace from day to day And share with others on life’s way. —Hess
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Salvation is the miracle of a moment; growth is the work of a lifetime.
Day 18 Growth
