Praize Blogs

“For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love” (Ephesians 4:12-16).

V.12 – Why did God set people up in positions as apostles; prophets; evangelists; pastors and teachers?  Some translations use the word “perfecting” and others use the word “equipping” of the saints.  No matter which word you use, God set up these offices for the teaching of His saints, His born-again Christians.  Equipping or perfecting both mean to provide what is necessary for use in an undertaking.  It is to repair what is broken and make it perfect.  God says we became disjointed, broken, in Adam’s fall, then in the scattering of the nations at Babel.  Now He is equipping us, or mending us together under the headship of Jesus. We need to be prepared for the work we are called to do. No one on his own can come up and do the work. We can start doing it as soon as we become saved, but until we have been given the tools to use (equipped), we are not very effective. 

What does being equipped or connected under Christ bring? It brings edification to the body of Christ. To edify is to morally and spiritually uplift, enlighten and encourage one another. When we have the tools we need, we can do the work, and the body can be uplifted and enlightened. We can make a difference in the church and in the world.

Will it always be easy to work for the ministry of God’s Word? No. One example is found in Colossians 1:24. Paul makes it clear that this work comes with suffering in it, and that the suffering is for the sake of the body, which is the church. We can’t expect to be born again workers for the Lord, and never suffer the persecution satan will bring to discourage us. That’s why Paul “rejoices” in this suffering. He took it as a sign that he was really doing good work for God.  Does it mean we will suffer every day? No. But we can’t expect never to suffer either.

V.13 - How long do we have to continue raising up preachers, teachers, and Christians to equip other believers? This will be the work of the ministry until we reach the unity of faith spoken of here. What is that unity? It’s the unity that will come when all men hear (Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. [Romans 10:17]), and agree on who Christ is (Colossians 2:1-3). We will continue to preach the Word, and raise up workers until the day of Christ’s return for His elect.

What is this perfect man? It is the non-gender specific person we are working to become. The one Paul speaks of in Philippians 3:12-16.  “Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before.  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing."

This Man, Jesus, is the reason to strive, press on toward the goal, to win the prize. What is that prize? Perfection: The fullness of Christ in each of us.

V.14 - We should no longer be like children in our behavior. We should be working hard, striving toward leaving our sin nature behind. We need to give up lying, cheating, swearing, using God’s name in vain, and every assorted type of sin. What’s more, we should be so firmly entrenched in our faith that no matter who comes along with some word of knowledge, or some trickery to call us away from Jesus, we can stand firm in our beliefs, and step away from them, and not from God. Men can be used by devils to do their work. We have to be on constant alert against the false teachers and false prophets Jesus warned are coming our way because the harder you work for God, the deeper your faith becomes, the stronger will be the temptation satan entices us with to try something new.  

Let’s read Romans 16:17-20. “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil. And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you, Amen."

V.15 - Instead of being fooled, speak out the Word of God to those trying to pull you away. They can’t stand against it. They will be “bruised” by the Word. As we learn more, and become deeper in faith, we grow more in Christ’s likeness. We can now bruise, or crush the devils that come against us. We have been given the power to have victory over darkness. We can grow up into Him who is the Head of the Body.

V.16 - We have established that the body is the church, and Christ is the Head of the body. We know that each of us is a portion of that body. Some pieces are visible, others are under cover, so to speak, but all are equally important in function. We are all joined by one thing, the Brain, the Head, the Leader, Jesus Christ. When each part of the body functions correctly, the body is healthy, and growth can occur. If each member of the body supports, uplifts and encourages the others to grow, we reap the bounty of love which edifies, and unites us as one under Christ. Let’s be part of the equipping process instead of the discouraging process.

May the Holy Spirit give each of you discernment so that you can see through the deception of false teacher and false prophets.  In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

More studies at http://www.newbeginmin1.org/BIBLESTUDYOPENING.html