“…for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ.” Eph. 4:12

Christ provides gifts to members of the body for the sake of the body. Those four offices have the responsibility of equipping saints and building up the body. What does it mean to equip the saints for the work of service?

This letter is written to the faithful saints in Ephesus. Since they are faithful saints, it must mean that they are doing the things the Holy Spirit is asking them to do. Paul then explains how that works. There are a few special gifts of grace that enable the other gifts of grace to function. All saints are gifted with a gift of grace, and the four we have just read about are to help see that the other gifts are being used as God intended.

God created Christians, the faithful saints, for good works. It is his intention that through the church, the body of Christ, the world will know about him and the saving power of his son. It is the churches responsibility to minister to the world in every way possible providing for the world’s needs both physically as well as spiritually.

The body of Christ cannot do the work of service for the world unless it is strong. To be strong, it needs to be built up. That is the work of first, evangelist and then shepherds. The church must know God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit intimately. It must understand that its life in the gift of grace is dependent on each part functioning as a whole, just like the human body.

There is no room for strife or jealousy. There can be no arguing or bickering. No gossip or ugly words in the body of Christ. Every saint must accept their gift and use it to the best of their personal ability; with the help of the Holy Spirit. Let peace and unity prevail. May love be behind every word and deed. The church that is filled with the Spirit of God and excercises the love of Christ will be a church that not only grows but reaches the lost.