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Gifts to Men--Why?
Jesus’ Gifts to Me – Why?
But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. Therefore it says, "When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men." Eph. 4:7-8 ESV
Are we committed day-by-day to the body of Christ in our God-service, or are we just “spectators” once or twice a week? Do we take seriously our relationships in the family of God, or are we content with a nod and a hand-shake before or after worship services? Do we think, pray, and communicate during the week about our work together, our purpose here?
Please notice in Ephesians 4 how Paul describes the great privilege we have in being together in Christ. He begs them to “walk worthy of their calling” (v. 1-3) and to work at keeping the unity of the Spirit (that is, maintain the unity that the Spirit has created). This is to be done by humility and gentleness, longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, realizing there is ONE body, and that we live by one Spirit, one hope, one baptism, and so on.
And then he teaches us that in this unity, we are not all the same. We all have the grace of Christ, but each one is given a different measure, and a different gift. Don’t think here just about miraculous gifts, but the idea that Christ’s gifts – whether miraculous or not – serve a purpose in the church. When Jesus ascended on high, he did not leave us alone. He still lives and works. He frees captives, and he gives gifts. It was not enough that he would free me from sin. He has more in mind. His gifts have a purpose. What is it?
The gifts of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers are “for the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministering, unto the building up of the body of Christ”. They are for our completion (maturity) so we can be prepared to serve, and so build up the body. Our elders, evangelists, and teachers are given to prepare us for this! These gifts lead us to grow in the knowledge of Christ, to be united in the faith in him, “till we all attain unto the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a fullgrown man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ”.
We are often worried that someone will teach something wrong among us, that we (or others among us) might be led astray. But here is the remedy against that – good preparation and guidance by our elders, preachers and teachers, “that we may be no longer children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine”.
Our teachers should be helping us grow up! They are to help us grow up in all things in Christ. To learn to speak truth with each other – and to speak it in love (see v. 15-16). To see the need of others in the body and to supply it! To see our part in building up the body and to do it. To edify the body of Christ in love! Sometimes speaking truthfully with each other means we must challenge each other, warn each other, and even rebuke each other. Especially the elders are charged with this task. But all of us SHOULD, with the right motive and with compassion and tenderness, be able to do this for each other (Rom. 15:14).
Here is a starting point: work WITH your teachers, preachers, elders. If they are helping you to learn, let them know and make the most of it. If they are falling short, help them do better. Challenge them to do better! Be a part of the classes and regular in attendance at worship times. But do more. Use your time during the week to build bonds with brothers and sisters in Christ. Call someone. Visit someone. Speak a word of encouragement, teaching, support to someone. Apply the lessons and help others apply them. In this way, you will help the elders, preachers, teachers in their work. But more importantly, you will be using your own gifts – the gifts given by Christ – to the edifying of the body, building itself up in love! Larry Walker, Nov. 2011
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