Today's Passage - Ephesians 4:14-16

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Ephesians 4:14-16   "Then 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.  Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.  From 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."   It is difficult for children to discern what's right or wrong.  It might be easier for us to discern right or wrong on worldly matters, but in spiritual matters we may still be children.  As we are pursuing spirituality, we easily become focused in knowledge and experience more than discipline of life.  It's easier to develop discipline in Lord's Word and Spirit, because we can see the outcome immediately.  The Lord's life, however, is a different matter, because it takes time to deal with our personality issues and we need to pay a price to develop character.  It's not a personal matter either, for such discipline needs to be developed in cell group life.  In our pursuit of spirituality, the Lord's Word is the foundation, Lord's Spirit is the momentum, and only Lord's life is the result.   Experience of miracles is only a momentary thing, but growth of life is a lifetime effort.  We need to discern God's will while pursuing spirituality, else our life will be like what Paul describe in verse 14, "blown here and there by every wind of teaching."  We might not be swayed by heresies and other religions, but we might be swayed by all the trends happening in the church!  In 1 Corinthians 14:20, Paul said that "brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults."  May God help us to understand His will, and be willing to accept discipline in life.  In verse 16, Paul gave us a clear picture: Each believer in the church is like different body parts.  The body can be healthy and strong only when all parts are functioning well.  If any part of you doesn't function well, the whole body is affected and won't grow normally.   There, in the church, we must actively participate in serving the Lord, and also learn to collaborate with each other.  While we may encounter many difficulties in the process or even get hurt, criticized or feeling lonely and unaccepted, let me remind you this - Are you doing every to serve God?  Also, what are the reasons that you are not serving God?  May God once again change our attitude; let us learn from the example of the sacrifice of Jesus to support and work with each other.  Individuals can only be built up in love when the body of Christ is built up.  God's will is for us to build the body of Christ, so are we willing to collaborate with Him?                                                                                   Pray with Pastor Tong           Lord, please help us not to be like children and be swayed by the winds of the world.  Let us be deeply rooted in your Word and welcome the work of Holy Spirit so that our life will keep on growing.  Let us take on the form of Christ and collaborate in the body of Christ, so that in love we will be built up.  I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!