Key Verse: “And he himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, equipping the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:11-12 CSB)
The Apostle Paul has already reminded us that one of the implications of the gospel in our lives is that we should be striving together for unity. It is a Christ-centered unity, rooted in the finished work of Jesus on the cross, and the subsequent work that the Holy Spirit has done and continues to do in our hearts.
But what does this kind of unity look like? How are we to express our unity, especially with such great diversity within the body of Christ around the world? How are we to stand together as one, when each of us is so different?
Paul tells us that diversity is not actually a bad thing. In fact, it’s the way that God intended. He wrote, “Now grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift” (v.7). The grace that we have received, through the victory that Jesus won when He descended from heaven and conquered sin and death, is not just saving grace. The grace we have received is also a serving grace. Part of the expression of our unity is recognizing that through the Holy Spirit, God has granted each and every believer spiritual grace or gifts in order to serve and participate in the work of His kingdom on earth.
But here’s the thing. God doesn’t just want us to recognize that we each have a gift. He wants us to actually use them. Paul wrote, “having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them” (Romans 12:6). Similarly, Peter wrote, “Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve others, as good stewards of the varied grace of God” (1 Peter 4:10).
Just like a Christmas gift is not intended to remain wrapped and under the tree, the gifts that God has given to us by His Spirit are to be used as part of His kingdom purposes. There’s no room for anyone standing around passively, when there’s work to be done in God’s kingdom. We all need to get involved and serve as good stewards of the grace we have each received.
Paul continues then by saying that the responsibility of Christian leaders, those he describes as apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers, is to “equip the saints for the work of the ministry” (v.12). Leaders are not the ones to do all the work. Rather, their job is to train people to discover how God has poured out His grace upon them to serve, and then to help them to actually get involved in doing their God-given task.
The responsibility of the “saints” or the people of God is to engage in this “work of ministry to build up the body of Christ” (v.12). The way we express our unity together even in the midst of our diversity is when each of us is using our Spirit-given gifts to strengthen the body of Christ around us.
What are the gifts that God has given to you through the Holy Spirit? What are you doing with what He has entrusted you? In what ways are you actively engaged in the work of ministry in order to build up the body of Christ? The way we express our unity is when each of us is doing our part to serve Christ in the way He has called us.
Prayer: Thank you God for the privilege of being involved in the work of ministry. Grant me the vision to see the unique way that you have so graciously called me to build up the body of Christ around me. Help me to serve with joy today as I do my part. Amen.
Author: Jonathan Miller has served in pastoral roles for more than 13 years in churches in Barrie, Oakville and Burlington, Ontario. He currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer at Prison Fellowship Canada, a ministry that mobilizes and equips local churches to engage in the restorative work of prisoners, ex-prisoners, their families, and victims across Canada. Jon holds degrees from McMaster University and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He and his wife Adrienne have been married since 2004, and live in Burlington, Ontario with their 4 children. Jon’s greatest passion is to know Jesus and to see lives transformed by Him and for Him.
