''Measure Me''

Ephesians 4:11-16

11It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

14Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. 15Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. 16From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Bee's Thoughts:

When a couple has a child, the sadest thing to know is that their child can't grow. God will be sad too if His spiritual children< Christians, can't grow spiritually.

Growth can't be hidden. It is obvious and measureable. Some of the measurements shown in the above passage are:
1. "works of service" (v12) -- to serve God in ministries in the church or elsewhere
2. "unity in the faith" (v13) -- not fighting with each other
3. "knowledge of the Son of God" (v13) -- through reading the bible and spending time with God
4. "mature" spiritually (v13) -- no longer like "infants" (v14)
5. "speaking the truth in love" (v15) -- truth must be said "in love" and not to hurt

Through such spiritual growth in the body of Christ, the end result is that the church will gow and be built in love (v16).

Dear Lord,
You desire that we grow spiritually.
Help us not to remain as spiritual babe.
Teach us how to be Your disciples.
You have commanded us to take up our crosses and follow You.
Grant us strength to do things Your ways.
In Jesus' name we pray.