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Scripture for the day: Ephesians 4:11-15 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we 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; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ.
Thought for the day: A Christian comedian said, many, many years ago now, “The most dangerous words I hear around the church these days is this: ‘I want to tell you something in love.’ Now, if the next thing you’re going to do is love me, you shouldn’t have to warn me it’s coming.” What makes this funny is the degree to which it’s true. More criticism (not the constructive kind) has been dispensed in the name of love than for any other purpose.
We love to quote the apostle Paul when focusing on that speck of dust in our neighbor’s eye. “This is for your own good,” we say with just the hint of a tear in the eye. “I only want the best for you,” we assure the one about to be torn limb from limb. Then, knowing full well that our intended victim will surely benefit from our tirade, we display a litany of faults and failures that need attention and correction – in the other person, of course, never in ourselves.
Look again at the scripture we’ve read for today. What was Paul trying to say? Was he not trying to encourage the Ephesians, and us, to build one another up rather than tearing ourselves apart? Why does the Holy Spirit dispense gifts of the Spirit in the first place? Is it not so that each of us, working within the strengths He’s given us, can be more effective in ministry to others? And why is that? So that the church is built up (not torn down); so that we can grow together and better reflect the image of Jesus to a lost and dying world; so that the world will see a band of believers dedicated to fulfilling the purpose for which we’ve come together.
None are perfect in this world, and never will be. Each of us needs to be challenged to rise above whatever level we may be stuck on, moving ever closer to Him. When Jesus walked with His disciples, he challenged them in ways they never thought possible, and ways they couldn’t possibly understand at the time. Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it” (Matt. 16:24-25). The disciples couldn’t possibly understand the depth of meaning contained in those words from the Messiah. And how about: “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:26). What? Wait! You can’t be serious. How on earth can we be expected to embrace such a concept?
Jesus never said, “The next thing I’m going to tell you is because I love you.” But everyone who heard Him knew His love was real, whether He challenged them to lay down their lives for Him or invited them to rest with the words, “Come unto Me all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
You will meet people today who need to be challenged in their faith. You will meet others who need to be lifted up. From time to time you will BE the one who needs to be challenged – or encouraged. The call is do everything in a spirit of love. No excuses.
Now to take on your world. - Bill