MONDAY June 14, 2021
Growing in Christ
...that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—
Ephesians 4:14-15
Paul’s teachings were so rich! Remember, the Church is not a building; it is made up of people. God has regenerated, saved, unified and anointed Christians. Where two or more of them are gathered in His name, He is in the midst of them (Matthew 18:20). God desires to use us to reach the lost with the message of the Gospel. Famous preacher C.H. Spurgeon gave this insight for why the Church exists:
A church that does not exist to reclaim heathenism, to fight evil, to destroy error, to put down falsehood, a church that does not exist to take the side of the poor, to denounce injustice and to hold up righteousness, is a church that has no right to be. Not for yourself, O church, do you exist, any more than Christ existed for Himself.
Remember, the apostles were the ones called to equip and guide the infant church. Believers need to know God. The closest thing to an apostle would be a missionary––one who is sent out. Evangelists reach sinners through preaching the Gospel. The Holy Spirit brings them to conviction and the knowledge of salvation. Once saved, they need to go to church to be discipled; then as they grow in God’s grace, they can become equipped for the work of the ministry.
When people do not grow, they remain babes in Christ. Sadly, they may get deceived by weird doctrines. This may cause them to fall away from God. It is important to become rooted and grounded in God’s Word. The Church must become stronger. That is why God has given us pastor/teachers to tend and feed His flock.
The study of God’s Word will secure peace. You take Christians who are rooted and grounded in the Word of God, and you find they have great peace; but it is these who don’t study their Bible, and don’t know their Bible, who are easily offended when some little trouble comes, or some persecution, and their peace is all disturbed; just a little breath of opposition, and their peace is all gone.
~D.L. Moody~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
