Growing Up In Christ. Part 2

Deacon Adekunle Adenuga

The Grace For Spiritual Growth.

Ephesians 4:7-16 KJV

7. But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
(8) Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
(9) (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
(10) He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
(11) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
(12) For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
(13) Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:
(14) That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
(15) But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
(16) From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

Every believer has been given some gift of grace of Christ, for their mutual help. Every believer has been given grace to function as a member of the body of Christ. This grace to function was given according to the measure of the gift of Christ. For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace. John 1: 16. God has dealt to each one of the believers a measure of faith. Every member of the body of Christ is a worker. The grace has been bestowed on us according to His fullness. Every good gift and every perfect gift comes from above, from our Father through Jesus Christ. No member of the body is without a function. Each member has a function for the profit of the whole body. For by grace, you have been saved through faith. Ephesians 2: 8. Every born again child of God is saved by grace. Salvation is by grace. New birth is a product of the divine grace. Therefore, the grace of God also empowers us to occupy for Him while we are still here on the earth. The grace of God empowers you to engage yourself in the vineyard of the kingdom while you are still on the earth.

The grace of God is all you need for you to be effective in the kingdom. It is the grace that gives strength to your weakness for you to be useful in the kingdom of God. And God is able to make the grace abound toward you as you step forward by faith to serve Him in spirit and in truth.

You Are Co-worker With Christ.

2 Corinthians 6:1 KJV We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.

By the grace of God we are co-workers with Christ. Gods grace made you to be a worker together with Him. Therefore, you are to make effective use of the grace by making sure you use your gift for the benefit of the body of Christ to the glory of the Father.

You are not permitted to be without results. You are not permitted to be barren and unfruitful. You are not permitted to receive the race of God in vain. The grace was given to you to be used for profiting. You are to make good use of the grace of God upon your life. You are to make purposeful use of the grace of God upon your life. You are what you are by the grace of God upon your life; therefore, do not frustrate the grace and do not let it be vain. 1 Corinthians 15: 10.

Your spiritual growth will determine the effectiveness of the grace of God upon your life. The more you grow up in Christ, the more fruitful and effective you become in Christ by His grace. Every gift in the church is for the service of the saints and for the profit of all the saints. The gifts of Holy Spirit and the ministry gifts are given to each member of the Church for the benefit and profit and building up of the whole body of Christ. Ephesians 4: 11-12; 1 Corinthians 12: 7.

Hence, you are required to be a good and faithful steward of the gifts that has been given to you. You are to strive to be as the good and faithful servant. Be a wise servant of the Master. Refuse to be a foolish servant. Do not hide the gift that has been given to you, it will make you barren and unproductive. Matthew 25: 14-30.

This is the reason you need to grow up in Christ. This is the reason you have to increase in the knowledge and understanding of the Word of God. Spiritual maturity is a prerequisite for spiritual fruitfulness. Spiritual maturity is a process that involves growing up in the Word of God and the power of the Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 14:20 KJV Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.

The Scripture commanded that you should not be immature in understanding. You should stop thinking and acting and talking like children. You are to become man in understanding. Grow up and be matured. You cannot continue to be a babe. You cannot continue to feed on milk, while you are supposed to be eating strong meat. By refusing to grow up, you are depriving the newborn babies of available bottles and milk. You see what I mean. Please stand up and grow up. This is the will of God concerning you. He wants you to become spiritually matured so you can contribute your share to the overall growth of the Church.