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Spiritual Edification:-4

IV. The Means of Edification: - How is it possible?

 Introduction: - If spiritual edification is so important, how is it possible? What shall we do for growth in personal life as well as the church as a whole? Three things are noteworthy:-

    1. The faith. Jude. V.20

        “Building yourselves upon your most Holy faith”. This is the basic means by which a Christian is supposed to build himself up in spiritual life. The ‘faith' refers to the body of truth revealed in the Bible. Jude.v.3. Understanding and obeying the word of God causes spiritual growth in our life. Matthew. 7:26 ; Acts.20:32; 1Thessalonians.2:13; 2Timothy.3:16, 17; 1Peter 2:2. The word of God works in those who believe it and build them up.

        That's why we need to study the scriptures systematically and accurately. We are well aware of the danger of constructing a structure with low quality material. It can not be strong and durable. At any time it may collapse. So in Christian life, if our life is not based on the word of God –accurately understanding and following- we may feel we are growing, however it may not be of quality.

        Let us be rooted and grounded in the word of truth. Take every effort to familiarize with the mysteries revealed and make it our life.

2. The Gifts. Ephesians. 4:11, 12

            “And He gave some…..for the equipping of the saints, for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.”

            Every born again child of God receives a special ability at the time of conversion, so that he will be equipped to minister to the needs of the others Christians. 1Peter.4:10. 1Corinthins. 12:7. The right exercise of this spiritual gift is essential for edification. When the gifted men and women of a local Church faithfully exercise their God-given ability, edification of the whole assembly takes place. 1 Corinthians. 14:3, 12.

            So, spiritual edification demands two things: First, We should recognize and use our spiritual gifts. Secondly we must make use of the gifted people among us.

    3. The fellowship. Hebrews. 10:24, 25

            “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together…”

            By ‘fellowship' we mean the gathering together of the redeemed children of God. That is the place we find the exercise of spiritual gifts. A believer who neglects the gathering together will definitely suffer from spiritual weakness. It is the divinely appointed method for spiritual building up of the saints. Ephesians. 4:12 ; 1Corinthians.14:3, 12. That was one of the problems faced by the Hebrew Christians. Hebrews.10:24. Because they forsook the assembly, they became weak and wavering Christians, frightened to go forward. Heberews.6:1; 12:1, 2.

            Not only has it calls for attending the church seriously, but be submissive to the Church as well. Every Christian must be submissive to the spiritual authority found in the local assembly. Questioning the authority is rebellion and it affects the spiritual well being of each other. At the same time, an exercise of false authority - which has not been approved by the Lord – also equally affects the church.

            Paul was aware of His authority. He exercised and defended it when Corinthians questioned, because that was essential for their edification. 2Corinthians.13:10; 10:8.

            That means a healthy assembly as well as a healthy relationship between one another is imperative for spiritual edification.

            The above three, I believe, are the basic means God has designed to edify the individual believer as well as the Church collectively. We can definitely find something more that helps us in our spiritual progress like, prayers, worship, meditation, and discipline etc. The most important factor is we may be rooted in Christ individually. Colossians. 2:7. As each one of us stay close to Christ and grow in His knowledge, spiritual growth is the natural outcome. That in turn affects entire Church to spiritual edification.

    Conclusion:-

            Spiritual edification is the process by which a Christian is being built up in faith and knowledge of Christ to grow and be like Christ, in his / her attitude and actions. Individual reading, studying, and understanding of the word of God, coupled with implicit obedience to the spiritual truths help one to grow. Fellowshipping with the local saints accelerates this process. Let, Spiritual Edification be our priority –personally as well as collectively. Can we make the following threefold commitment in this connection:-

    •  I will do all what I can for my person spiritual growth.

    •  I will do all what I can for the spiritual growth of others.

    •  I will do all what I can for the edification of the local Church.

     

    Beloved, our effort through this website is exactly this. It is our prayer, that through these articles, studies and various other resources added here, every visitor may know Christ and grow in His faith and the local Assemblies may be strengthened to continue the testimony effectively.

    Please feel free to share your suggestion, doubt etc by writing to the following address.

NTK


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Grace to you and Peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ”. 1 Corinthians 1:3
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