Building Up

DEVOTION
EPHESIANS
BUILDING UP
Eph 4:11-13
11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
NIV
The purpose for God bestowing upon people, upon me any of these gifts is so the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining too the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Now that is one awesome responsibility. I cannot possibility deal with all of that as I thought in the last devotion on the section of scripture. I must focus today on the body being built up. I think all too often I fail to accomplish this when I forget the responsibility God has charged me with. When I talk in any manner with another believer that does not build the body up I have failed. I know I do my best to listen to the Spirit when I prepare a message to preach, or a lesson to teach so that I am focusing my fellow believers in being built up in their faith. My focus is to assist them in so way to grow in their faith, and their knowledge of the Son of God. But in my everyday life, my everyday conversations do I remained focused on the same listening to the Spirit? I think I fail God in those areas at times. I think I do forget to be always aware of building the body up. This is not good. I need to seek more of God, be more aware, listening more often than speak. It is true, in my daily conversations with others; I do try to point out thinking that divides. But I also think at times I might engage in it myself. How can this be? How can I allow myself to sink to that level of thought? I know I am no different than anyone else. I have all the same struggles with the old self. I know I am simply a man, with all the failing, with sin, but I also know God demands more from me because he has called and empowered me to teach. He holds me to a stricter standard as James 3:1 states. I must increase my attention to the Spirit. I must hold fast my tongue until I have the right words. Lord help me, give me more of your power and might to be strong, courageous and faithful in my duties and service to you in building up my fellow believers.