“But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ” (Eph. 4:15 KJV).
God wants the church of the Lord Jesus Christ to grow in the area of walking in love. And I encourage you today to let God’s work of love flow through you so that His will is done in the earth. Jesus went to the lower parts of the earth in order for the love of God to be manifest in the earth.
Jesus actually went to hell itself to fulfill God’s plan and purpose for you and me. And the Father expects us to now grow up in Christ Jesus and allow that love that He has for us to flow to all those we contact.
Ephesians 4:10 says, “He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.”
All things means that He might fulfill all callings. To have the fullness of Christ means that you would be filled with His love just as a glass is filled with water. He goes on to say “…that we henceforth be no more children….” Paul is telling us how to speak the truth.
We speak the truth from the basis of love. And that requires growth. God expects us to mature and to grow in this area of love. You can’t be at the same place you were last year. You have to grow more in this area in order to operate in faith instead of fear.
You also have to grow in this area of the love of God in order for you to contribute your part to the body of Christ. The body of Christ will not be able to fully complete its mission without the love you are to exhibit. That means then you must make a commitment that you are going to grow in this, because this is the part you supply.
You supply love to the body. And the love that you supply will cause you to give to different parts of the body. It will cause you to pray for different parts of the body.
The love of God will cause you to do whatever you have to do to find that part of the body that has fallen away, and encourage them to renew their fellowship with the Lord. For every person that falls away God has someone with His love to go out and get them.
So act on the love of God today. Who is it that you’ve been thinking about, that you haven’t seen in a long time? Whomever God has placed on your heart, do what Jesus would do. Do whatever you can to bring them back and to restore their fellowship with the Lord. He wants you to reach out that long arm of love of yours and bless as many people as you can find.
Scripture References: Matthew 9:37; Ephesians 4:11-16
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Keith Butler has been an ordained minister since 1974. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan and holds diplomas from Canada Christian College and Rhema Bible Training Center.
He serves in ministry with the support of his lovely wife, Pastor Deborah L. Butler, and their children: Pastor Andre Butler (granddaughters Alexis, Angela, and April), Pastor MiChelle Ferguson and husband Pastor Lee (grandson Lucas), and Minister Kristina Jenkins and husband Pastor Joel (grandsons Andrew and Austin, and granddaughter Alyssa).