[U]ntil all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ. We must no longer be children, tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind of doctrine, by people’s trickery, by their craftiness in deceitful scheming. But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love. Ephesians 4: 13-16, NRSV.
Eternal God, we thank You for the opportunity to study Your Word in peace. We ask for the Holy Spirit to be our teacher and our guide, as we continue our study today. In the name of Jesus we humbly pray. Amen.
We dedicated three days to observing how Jesus, spoke the truth in love. He did not compromise the truth. He showed people their error, and encouraged them to rise above the sins in their lives. He spoke to people in ways that made it easy for them to receive the truth, without feeling disrespected, or belittled. He strengthened them, and then spoke to the issues that were a challenge to them. The result was redemption. No one left the Savior’s presence feeling like a loser. Everyone walked away feeling hopeful, renewed, accepted, respected, and loved.
The Word of God informs us, that “the whole body” has been equipped with “ligaments” that joins and knits it together. Of course when I read this, my interest in the function of a physical ligament, was immediately aroused. I sought, and found, several very good definitions on the, online dictionary, and a medical dictionary, of what a ligament is, and does, which I will share with you:
“1) ‘Anything that ties or unites one thing to another; a bandage; a bond.’ –Hawthorne.”
“2) (Anat.) (a) A tough band or plate of dense, fibrous, connective tissue or fibrocartilage serving to unite bones or form joints, (b) A band of connective tissue, or a membranous fold, which supports or retains an organ in place; as the gastrophrenic ligament, connecting the diaphragm and stomach.”
Our definitions state that ligaments can be used for healing (bandage). They create bonds. They are strong (tough). They connect. They unite. They form. They support. Ligaments are powerful enough to “retain an organ in place.” Therefore, ligaments are quite important for the proper functioning of the human body. No wonder the apostle Paul used the imagery of ligaments to describe what joins and knits together the whole body of Christ – the spiritual body. According to out text, it would seem that, ligaments, are what “promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love,” when each part is working properly.
My prayer is that each of us would aspire to be a spiritual ligament. May we willingly lend our support to the building up of [Christ’s church] in love.” God has given to each of us a particular “ligament attribute.” Some are like healing balms, to help mitigate the pain of hurting members. Some are wonderful in bonding with others. Some are very strong in facing, and helping others deal with tough situations. Others are good at connecting with individuals, and connecting individuals with each another. They are those who have the ability to unite members in the church to work in groups. There are others who serve as mentors to facilitate the formation of individuals in reaching their full potential, as servants of God. Some are very good at supporting the programs of the church. And then there are those who help to retain discouraged members within the church, and keep them from abandoning the cause of God.
May God help each of us to find our places as “spiritual ligaments” in the church of God, and occupy it faithfully, as members of the “body of Christ.”