Ephesians – December 15

Ephesians 4:11-13 says Jesus Christ has given apostles, prophets, evangelist, pastors, and teachers (the 5-fold ministry) to perfect and equip believers to the intent that we would all “come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” As great as it is to know we are saved and have eternal security, God’s plan for the church is for us to have complete victory here on earth now.

Let’s take a closer look what the ministry of Jesus Christ through His 5-fold ministry will do in the church as we allow. First, He says we will come to the “unity of the faith.” It almost seems like a dream that we could be united with one faith (one belief), but that is what He will do in the true church in these last days. I love this next one; it says we will have “knowledge of the Son of God.” How wonderful it is when believers have true and accurate knowledge of the Son of God, Jesus Christ. This isn’t just head knowledge, but intimate knowledge that comes with revelation. Next, it says we will become a “perfect man;” in context, this means we will be mature in Christ. The next phrase clarifies how much of a “perfect (mature) man” we will be; it says we will come to the “measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” In other words, He will bring us to a place of maturity that if it were measured would actually measure equal to Christ Himself.  This might sound impossible or even offensive to some, but it shouldn’t. We are not God, but He has given us His Spirit and we are His heirs, and joint heirs with Jesus Christ.  When Jesus came to earth as a man He was God and sinless, but He was stripped of all the benefits of being God (See Philippians 2:6-7). Jesus was completely victories by trusting His Father and trusting the strength of the Spirit of God. If we couldn’t really follow Jesus, He would have never said, “Follow me.” It’s time we become “imitators of God as dear children” (see Ephesians 5:1). God’s grace is sufficient for us to walk in this full victory today and those “speaking the truth in love” will help the body of Christ get there.  vvdfdkjfkdjfk