Today’s Scripture: Ephesians 4:12, Amplified bible- “[and He did this] to fully equip and perfect the saints (God’s people) for works of service, to build up the body of Christ [the church];”
Ephesians 4:4 promises that “There is one body and one Spirit,” Ephesians 4:6 promises that God the Father of all, is above all, through all, and in all. Ephesians 4:12 also promises He has equipped us for works of service that will build up the body of Christ.
Our self-esteem should be rooted in God and the grace of Jesus Christ.
We have what it takes in Christ. Jesus Christ has gifted us. We can all continue to mature and grow into the fullness of Christ but even today we are already equipped because God is above, through, and in us all.
With God, we are all part of one body and one Spirit. What else do we think we need? As Ephesians 4:15 instructs us we are to speak the truth in love. We can build the body of Christ today as we do our part. We each serve the rest of the body.
We must put aside our over-thinking as we are warned in Ephesians 4:17. I personally have struggled with analysis paralysis in my vocation and life because I lived as if perfection was up to me. However, Ephesians 4:22 teaches us to “throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception.” (NLT)
“Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.” Ephesians 4:23, NLT.
Let us trust God’s Spirit from this moment on. In the next verse of Ephesians 4:24 we are told to “Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.”
We must “stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body.” Ephesians 4:25, NLT. The next person we see or speak to let us look and speak to them in love as we are all part of the same body of Christ who loves us and forgave us. Let us look to the Spirit as to how we can build others.
This is our new nature, the nature of the Spirit of God. Only with the Spirit of God working above, through, and in us can we live out Ephesians 4:31, “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” (NKJV)
Will you live Christ’s nature that is in you today?
Today’s Prayer: Father God, thank You for the gifts of Jesus Christ and Your Holy Spirit that call us into Your one body and Spirit. Thank You for equipping us to do Your work of love and to live a life worthy of our calling. Embolden us to live in the grace and gifts that Jesus Himself gave to us. Have Your nature be our nature today. In Your perfect love we are perfectly equipped to build Your body today. Live in and through us today. Amen.
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