Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
June 24, 2024
Ephesians 4:7-16
7 God has given his grace to each one of us measured out by the gift that is given by Christ. 8 That’s why scripture says, When he climbed up to the heights, he captured prisoners, and he gave gifts to people. 9 What does the phrase “he climbed up” mean if it doesn’t mean that he had first gone down into the lower regions, the earth? 10 The one who went down is the same one who climbed up above all the heavens so that he might fill everything. 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! This is the day that the Lord has made!
Aged to perfection is a phrase we associate with cheese, wine, or even some cuts of meat. Paul urges us to direct our lives toward our calling to mature in our faith and prepare to be measured by our movement of living into the fullness of Christ. This is a lofty goal, and we would fall short if we tried to live into our calling using only our earthly support system.
By God's grace, we are given the Holy Spirit to be our advocate and support on our faith journey. Through our trials and tribulations, we slowly age to perfection in Christ. John Wesley’s final level of grace is perfecting grace.
Wesley believed we could become perfect in love in this life. If Jesus invites us to seek perfection, perfect love is possible. He didn't mean we would be free from mistakes, temptation, or failure. For Wesley, growing as a Christian is about being filled with love, which happens by God's grace.
We may not be there yet; but by God's grace, as United Methodists say, "we're going on to perfection!"
Creator God, Thank you for this beautiful gift of life. Without you, we would age into oblivion. Thank you for the gifts that you give us. Help us use them to your glory. We thank you! In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: As we mature in our faith, we open up to God’s presence and influence in our lives.
We are aging to perfection! Pastor Liz
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