GRACE WORK
GRACE WORK
But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. —Ephesians 4:7
And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. —Ephesians 4:11-16
Are you part of the body that is growing? Are you part of the body that is building itself up in love? This can only be happening when each part is working properly. How can each part be working properly? It is when we are equipped for the work the Lord has for us (Ephesians 2:10) and growing up in Christ. Unity in the body occurs when each part is in submission to Jesus and doing His will.
There are gifts given in the Church that are for the equipping of the saints for the ministry work He has for each one. This will not happen unless those with these gifts are being obedient to equip and those that need to be equipped are being obedient to be equipped. If this is not happening then the body will not be built up and there will not be unity in the body.
Actually, if the body is not being faithful to be and do what our Lord desires then the real possibility of those in the body to be deceived is present. A person can be a professed Christian for years without spiritual maturity. Spiritual maturity is not just with the knowledge we have, but it is the application of that knowledge. Like in any other realm the possession of knowledge is useless unless there is application of that knowledge.
The Great Commission of Matthew 28:16-20 tells us to make disciples. How does that happen? It goes on to say “teaching them to observe (keep, obey) all that I have taught you…” We are good at teaching and being taught, but how are we doing in the application of the knowledge we have? In II Timothy 2:2 we are told what we have learned we are to “commit to reliable people who are able to teach others also.” We are to disciple others to make disciples… These are the reliable people. So I ask myself— “Am I being a reliable person in the body of Christ? Am I being equipped and equipping others for the work, for the ministry God has for us? May it be so, but the measurement of being faithful it fruit that remains and much fruit that brings glory to God (John 15:1-17). May that be the case in our lives! May we not waste the grace of God given to each of us!
Dear Father please help me to yield to Your desires for me by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Jesus. So be it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eERKnxzNzwg