“And not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God.”
“grows with the increase that is from God”
“Grows” — the whole body grows as God wants it to grow when gifted men teach God’s Word. The growth of the “body” here is the spiritual growth of the church rather than the physical body.
“Increase” means to increase in the extent of, or in the instances of, an activity or state — to expand, grow, spread, and extend. God will extend the church that functions on its spiritual gifts.
“In whom the whole building is held together and extends into [or ‘increases until it becomes’] a sacred temple in the Lord” (Eph 2.21).
“From God” — God is the source of grace. True spirituality comes from life, the life of God, not from the doctrines of Gnosticism. It is the nature of new life in Christ to grow. There is no growth apart from truth.
PRINCIPLE:
Spiritual paralysis comes from disconnection from the Head.
APPLICATION:
Muscular action is caused by stimulating the brain and spinal cord nerve cells. When the nervous system is not working properly, it affects the muscles. Spiritual disorder is caused by a lack of a link to Christ the Head. If we do not draw strength from him, spiritual confusion will follow. Sin paralyzes the spiritual life.
