“but speaking the truth in love, (we are to) grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. Ephesians 4:15-16
I am becoming more and more convicted that in many ways the twentieth century church seriously lost its way in the area of discipleship. I really don’t remember being taught that discipleship was one of my primary responsibilities as a “church member”. I knew that I was to pray and study God’s word, I knew I was to give and support the ministries and programs of the church, and I even knew that I was to witness of my faith in Christ and invite people to join me at church; but teaching was all done in the church building.
The picture painted by Paul in Ephesians 4 is vastly different than what is happening in much of today’s church. Love, of course is the key. We are instructed to speak the truth in love so that edification can happen in love. But the interesting thing to me is that although Paul begins this lengthy sentence by speaking of apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastor-teachers; by the time he addresses the actual, “on the ground” discipleship he has included the whole body. Every joint is to be supplying something to the growth of the body and every part is to be doing its share to cause growth and self edification.
I suppose you might be able to interpret this passage to include sitting a pew week after week but I rather believe that Paul has something a bit more active in mind. Who are you discipling?
For the cause of Christ
Your brother Jack
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