Morning Devotional 051025 One Body: Fueled by Love

Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room

  May 10, 2025

Ephesians 4:11-16

11 He gave some apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers. 12 His purpose was to equip God’s people for the work of serving and building up the body of Christ 13 until we all reach the unity of faith and knowledge of God’s Son. God’s goal is for us to become mature adults—to be fully grown, measured by the standard of the fullness of Christ. 14 As a result, we aren’t supposed to be infants any longer who can be tossed and blown around by every wind that comes from teaching with deceitful scheming and the tricks people play to deliberately mislead others. 15 Instead, by speaking the truth with love, let’s grow in every way into Christ, 16 who is the head. The whole body grows from him, as it is joined and held together by all the supporting ligaments. The body makes itself grow in that it builds itself up with love as each one does its part.

Good Morning! God equips us to serve one another!

How are we measured? By earthly standards, we are measured in age, stature, prestige, wealth, power . . . . God measures us by the standard of the fullness of Christ. Let’s unpack that this morning. 

What is the fullness of Christ? Paul tells that we are to serve the body of Christ until we reach the unity of faith and knowledge of Christ as we become mature adults. What does this mean?

1. We are able to withstand the storms. (i.e. we may bend, but we do not break.)

2. We are not easily tricked or swayed. 

3. We speak truth with love.

4. We attach ourselves to Christ and use the gifts we are given to do our part.

5. We are bound together by our love.

6. We build up, not tear down.

   
   

This is not a scorecard, but instead a continuum along which we develop. These ideas and more require a lifetime journey with Christ. We cannot do any one of these on our own. By God’s grace, we are offered the opportunity to join together as one body fueled by love to transform the world. 

Wherever we are on our journey to the fullness of Christ, God is with us each step we take. 

Loving Lord, Maker of all things! You created us and invite us to join together in love with you. Thank you. We love you, Lord! In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen

Thought for the day: Nothing done in truth and love is wasted.

One Body: Fueled by love! Pastor Liz