HOME
Daily Devotions for the Advent and Christmas Seasons
Saturday, January 2
Ephesians 4:1-16
by Shar Hall
This passage entitled “Unity in the Body of Christ” includes words very familiar to most of us: “one body, one Spirit, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God,” “to equip the saints for ministry,” and the list of different gifts and different callings.
What we often overlook are: “until all come to unity of faith, knowledge of the Son of God to maturity to the measure of the full stature of Christ” and “speaking the truth in love.”
How do we share the good news with others? Paul reminds us we’re no longer children to be tossed about by all sorts of distractions. We need to speak the truth in love, so we may grow up into him, who is Christ, the head.
So for us to be intentional in spreading the good news, we need to engage in conversations with each other and with those we meet in our daily lives. As an old-time Presbyterian, I don’t go around telling others they need to be saved, but I do talk about my faith when the opportunity arises.
We can make those opportunities happen when we share a meal or when we simply have occasion to be together as family, friends, or church family over tea or coffee. It opens up our thoughts and ideas if we can listen and we try to understand each other better and learn from one another.
I tried to teach my children from the beginning as little kids to speak the truth always. A favorite saying that I practice is one I learned from Sunny and Dick Hee and Jennie and Larry Jack Wong long ago:
Say what you mean, and mean what you say!
We need to sharpen our skills in speaking out and building up the body of Christ, so we may grow in “knowledge of the Son of God to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ.”
Prayer
Creator God, we praise you and thank you for giving us your son, Jesus. Help us to use the gifts you’ve provided us, so that we may speak the truth in love and share the good news of your love. Help us also to equip the saints and grow in unity of faith. Amen.