Eph 4:12-13 The Purpose of the Gifts

1 view

Skip to first unread message

bcbs...@yahoo.com

unread,

Aug 4, 2025, 6:33:42 AMAug 4

to Bcbsr

The Purpose of the Gifts

Eph 4:12-13 To prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Spiritual gifts have been given in order to bring the body of Christ to maturity. We must focus outwardly with our gifts, ministering to others with their edification in mind. Maturity is the goal, Unity is an effect as are Works of Service, and the Diversity of Spiritual gifts are the means. But each must be allowed to exercise their gifts.

Unfortunately Institutional Christianity has historically drastically limited the activities of the congregation resulting in the suppression of spiritual maturity, resulting also in disunity. Institutions have made attempts to create a sense of unity while suppressing maturity, but such unity is often shallow. Many congregations are gagged. They go to church, sing some songs, listen to a lecture and go home, seldom being allowed to expressed their opinions or talk to one another about spiritual things outside of a controlled environment. And God forbid they should criticize the pastor's sermon!

Such institutional philosophy and practices do little to edify the body of Christ. Consider this chapter. It is written that each person is given giftedness to contribute to the edification of all. And that the goal is to prepare God's people for works of service, which is the practice of the mature Christian. But what we find in institutional Christianity today is an elitist mentality in which a few are allowed to speak and minister while the others are treated like a bunch of stupid sheep. And why is it so typical that when professional ministers think of "works of service" about all they can envision their stupid sheep being capable of is setting up chairs and the like? But congregations are also willing accomplices in this charade of institutional church life. For while having great potential for doing great things for God, they are lulled into laziness and purposely remain immature so as to avoid responsibility, being content with being treated as stupid sheep. This is a sorry state of affairs.

Christians do not have the option to enter "The Ministry". Each Christian is already in "The Ministry". Though the institutionally elite may tell you otherwise.