DEC 9

Ephesians 5:22-23
Memorise Ephesians 5:23
“Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body”

Christ is the head of the Church. Using the husband and wife relationship, where the husband is head of the house, Paul shows the spiritual picture of the Church. In crystal clear language, he writes that the head of the Church is not the pope, as the Roman Catholic Church teaches. Neither is the pastor the head of the church, as most Protestants might vaguely think. No man but Christ is the head of the body, the Church: “…that in all things he might have the preeminence” (Colossians 1:18). This means that we are followers of Christ and not of men. Christ is to be the source of the life of the church, the body of Christ. He rules over her with divine authority. Christ is the only head of the Church because the Church is His body. In this body we see unity and harmony because Christ rules and governs the body. We must be followers of Him, and not of the teachings of men. If we follow some other head than Christ, then we are members of a different body. His authority is given to us in His Word. He has set in the church the proper government to guide under His direction. The church session or leadership is made up of the Elders and Deacons. They govern, not by their own wills, but by the commandments of Christ through His Word.

This verse also speaks of Christ being the Saviour of the body. He gave Himself to save her and will see her through her trials to preserve her to the end, so that He can one day receive her as His pure and spotless bride, holy and without blemish.

Dear teen, are you in a church that recognises Christ is the head and is subject to only the authority of His inerrant, infallible and fully preserved Word? Does that church’s action and practices honour the name of Christ? As long as the Word of God is our supreme authority, we are following the directions from Christ. Also, remember that Christ, our divine head is the same yesterday, and today, and for ever (Hebrews 13:8) in contrast to human leaders that can be replaced, and are ever changing and changeable. Rejoice evermore in this glorious truth.

Thought: “For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell” (Colossians 1:19).
Prayer: Our Father in heaven, may my church be ever faithful to Christ, the head and honour Him in all things.