Ephesians 4:11-14
Verse 12 …to equip His people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up
We have now talked a little bit about the Gospel as our sword and now we will look at the other portion of the weapon, the Word of God. While most people would agree the Bible is important to the Christian life, even believers find difficult to give it the attention it needs. We know we should read it regularly but if we asked the average Christian, they don’t read it very often and when they do it is a quick read and then they are on to other things.
Though it is good for us to be in the Word regularly, it isn’t just about reading “a certain number of verses a day to keep the devil away,” it is about being intentional about wanting to know what the Lord has for us to learn and understanding what it means for our lives. If we are reading just for the sake of checking a box off our to-do list, we will miss the all-important factor of application.
This is the thing Paul was trying to help his friends in Ephesus learn through his letter. He understood reading wasn’t enough, we need to learn how to live from what we read. Paul also knew the Lord didn’t leave us on our own to learn what He is teaching in His Word. While He provides the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, He also gives us people in our lives who can guide us in our understanding of Scripture.
Today’s passage reminds us how God has provided Christians especially equipped by the Holy Spirit to help us understand the depths of His teachings. We have the writings of apostles, men who know Jesus personally and had been personally taught by Him. In their writings we are taught the deeper meanings of the teachings of Jesus. They may have lived 2000 years ago but their breaking down of the teachings of Christ are still applicable to us.
We also have the teachings of the prophets, men God had specifically chosen to give the specifics of the first and second comings of Jesus. The most basic point of the Gospel is that Jesus is the Promised One the prophets had talked about. Knowing Jesus is the One who had been promised should help us as believers hold tighter to the things He said about what it means to be His followers. Like how He said it would be our obedience which showed we are His followers (Matthew 7:21).
Making It Personal
How intentional are you about reading the Scripture regularly? Do you work on applying what you have read? What would help you get more out of your time in the Bible?
Making It Personal Kids
Do you read the Bible regularly? What kinds of things do you learn from the Bible? Why is it important to learn what Jesus says?
Closing Prayer
Father, thank You for not only giving us the Word but also those who can help us learn the depths of Your teaching in it. Give us an ever growing desire to learn more of what You have to say. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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