Scripture Text: Ephesians 4:11-12
It was mentioned last time that God gave gifts through Christ to His people. And this is for the purpose of being united in Him for His glory. This happened when He ascended to His Father, sitting at His right hand. That’s why it has been said “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men (vv.7-8).” From this, we also learned an insight from the apostle Paul that in the Lord’s ascent, He descended first. “(In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things) (vv.9-10).” This is to say that the coming of the Lord or His first advent is an act of descending. It means humiliation [total humility]. We must keep in mind that that the apostle of the Lord is urging all the believers through his epistle to the believers in Ephesus, because above all, it is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who is eager, zealous, and passionate to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth (1:10). Therefore, the appeal to walk in a manner that matches the glorious calling is a must, and that is to pursue unity in the bond of peace created by the Spirit, for this is ultimately for the glory of the grace Giver, and it is through Him alone, that you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord (2:19-21).
In continuation, we now see how God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, accomplishes His purpose to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth: “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, (vv.11-12)”. This is the ultimate significance of the descent of the exalted Christ – that He gave spiritual gifts to people whom He will be using for the building up of His body [Church]. These spiritually gifted people are appointed by the Lord with His ascended sovereign rule! The apostles, whom are commissioned by the Lord to proclaim His message and establish the church; the prophets, whom God has used to testify for the church of the things to come; the evangelist, whom God has sent through the apostles to preach the gospel with such passion; and finally, the pastors and teachers – those whom God has used and is using to continually achieve His purpose of furnishing His people for the work of ministry and for the completeness of the body of the Lord. All are gifted and is placed with different offices, but all are administered and is in the same end of ministry – the careful use and handling of God’s word.
Behold, dear saint, the passion of God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who richly bestows grace through His Son – that He gave gifts to His people who ultimately exalts this sufficient grace! The grace of God not only did appear bringing salvation for all people. Not only did the grace of God is training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age! Keep in mind, dear saint, that the grace of God He has richly bestowed gifts! That as each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace. And don’t ever forget, dear saint, there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
May your heart, dear saint, be truly captivated by this blessedness that you have in Him, and because of Him! May you find yourself, together with the psalmist, acclaiming, bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits! who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
Ultimately, the enjoyment of God in Christ is the only joy and happiness with which our souls can be truly and magnificently satisfied.
Desire to know Him more, who has loved you unconditionally and eternally! Thirst and long for Him! Be in awe of Him—the darling of Heaven! He is all yours… He is all-perfect, all-holy, all-glorious!
Hear this then, dear saint: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
Christ is all that we have! Christ is all that we need!
Take heart, dear saint!
Reflect
Are you living a life worthy of the calling with which you have been called to as a believer of the Lord?
Is your life marked by eagerness to maintain unity and peace with your brothers and sisters in the Lord?
Are you a good steward of God’s grace?
Do you continue to grow in need of His grace?
Do you desire and long to love Him more, as you ought to be?
Remember
Every blessing from God and our Father are means to keep us back to our chief end—to glorify God and enjoy Him forever! Live your life therefore for the praise of His glory, and continue to live out your blessedness in Him!
Pray
Father in heaven, I come before You in the name of Your Son, with a thankful heart, for once again Your passion for Your Son to be glorified is made seen. I praise You, Father, for You have richly given to the body of Your Son men whom You have qualified to minister through Your words. Because of this, Father, I thank You even more, for You have kept me and placed me as part of Your Son’s body, where I am being equipped through Your appointed minister of Your words, that I may as well participate in building up the body of Him, who is ascended, and whose rule is far beyond every rule. Father, I ask, for His glory’s sake, help me to engage more in the blessedness of being renewed daily through the ministry of Your servants who faithfully preach and teach Your words. This I pray, in the name of Him who was and is, and is to come. Amen.
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