Body Maintenance and Repair

Do you have a personal trainer? The encouragement and motivation that they offer is fantastic, but it’s only part of the overall offer. They understand enough about the body and how it works to identify when something’s not working quite right. They can see when our bodies are overcompensating for a part that’s not working correctly. While on the surface everything might look like it’s running correctly, they can identify where corrective action is necessary.

Paul’s doing the same here in Ephesians 4:25-32. We’ve seen how he’s encouraged and motivated the Church by showing how effective it can be in serving and glorifying God if members can be the part, play the part, and be set apart. But like a great trainer, there are some things he needs to address and some guidance he needs to give where he observes parts of the body that aren’t functioning as they should.

For the relationship between a trainer and the trainee to work, it’s important that they share the same objective. When we’re on the same page as our trainer we can understand and respect the fact that occasionally they need to give us some tough lessons. So let’s remember Paul’s goal here – he wants the Church to be united so that the body of Christ may be built up (v12), and that as Christians we can become mature (v13). That’s our goal too. We want to able to say:

“I belong to Christ’s body, to build up, unite, and benefit that body”

If that’s our aim, we can respond to Paul’s challenge when he tells us that for the sake of unity and growth in the Church:

 ·         Don’t lie - speak truthfully, and don’t be desensitised into thinking that dishonesty in any form is okay (v25)

·         Don’t lose your temper – instead be righteous, and if there’s a disagreement get it settled quickly (v26-27)

·         Don’t steal – rather work, and give, to support each other as part of God’s community (v28)

·         Don’t use rotten talk – speak in a way that benefits and builds up others (v29)

·         Don’t be unkind – be compassionate, caring and forgiving, as Christ is to us (v32)

It’s easy to gloss over these isn’t it? To think that they’re written for someone else? To believe that the odd ‘white lie’ or harsh word doesn’t matter that much in the grander scheme of things? Paul doesn’t think so – he recognises that each of these things can destroy unity, and encourages us to address them head on.

How do we do it? We follow the example set by Jesus (v32), who sets the pattern, and standard of behaviour for his people and gives us the Holy Spirit to seal us for redemption (v30).

Maintaining unity in the Church and helping members to grow and mature together isn’t easy. The Bible gives us a lot of very practical steps to promote it, and highlights issues we need to tackle which could destroy it (watch this space as Paul's got more guidance for us in chapter 5...).

But thanks to God, in trying to achieve it we’re not left alone and rudderless.