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Ephesians 4: The Perfect Bond of Love

Earlier in the week we discussed the perfect bond of unity in the spirit. That discussion led us to Christ's perfect Love.  I want to expand on that some and we will see where it takes us...

In Ephesians 4:11-16 we see Jesus give some gifts to the body:


Ephesians 4:11-12  And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,  (12)  for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,

These "offices" are often called the Five Fold Ministry and have become positions to be filled in today's church.  When in fact, they are not "positions" at all, they are service roles designed to equip the saints and bring edification to the body.  Much like we as parents send our children to school for the skills they need in the world, Jesus has provided us tools here.  They come in the form of people that have different functions in our lives.  

In my post, Equipping the Saints, from April 2013, I discuss these positions in some detail. There are a few purposes to the positions Jesus gave us before He ascended into Heaven.  

  1. Equipping the Saints for the work of the ministry
  2. For the edifying of the body of Christ
  3. Bring into the unity of Faith
  4. Mature us
We have in the past as a corporate Church viewed these positions in the Body as outreach ministries or evangelical positions to the lost world, but that is in fact not what the Word says their function is.  These positions in the Body are given to us to help equip us for the work that is in the world that remains to be completed.  Equipping means to complete or perfecting. So, the offices of the five fold ministry are also given to edify the body, meaning to confirm or build up.  How can we confirm or build up if we are filled with and sharing the love of Christ to everyone around us, believers and nonbelievers alike?  Paul said this to Colossians:


Colossians 3:14-17  But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.  (15)  And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.  (16)  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.  (17)  And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

When we are dealing with our fellow man, including other Christians, can we say that we have put on love?  Are we letting the peace of God rule in our hearts...overflowing from us so that all the world sees what a Great, and Mighty, and Awesome God He is?  Or do we just sit in the pews at church on Sunday mornings seeing about what an awesome God He is? Paul said that love must be put on.  We have to make a choice to love people.  Some it will be more difficult than others, but we have to make a conscious effort to love them.  After all, Paul said this to the church at Corinth: 

1 Corinthians 13:1  Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.

Love is the bond we have through Jesus Christ.  It is a bond forged from pain, suffering, death, and resurrection bringing it into perfection as it accomplishes the will set forth by the Father.  Love is the bond that saved us from death, hell, and the grave.  The love of Christ is perfect.  The love of Christ, if in our hearts, binds us all together with one purpose.  Remember one of the purposes of the five fold ministry in Ephesians 4?  It is to bring into the unity of the Faith.  How do we bring unity if we don't love all people?  And the final purpose of the five fold ministry?  To mature us.  So, how do we become mature?

1 Corinthians 13:11  When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

What does a child do?  A child relies on others to provide and care for it. A child is selfish.  A child has no concern over what someone else needs or wants, as long as the child's needs are met.  A child has no self control, no patience, no meekness...because they have not learned or been taught to be, have, or cultivate these fruits within themselves.  Paul also told the Ephesians:

Ephesians 4:14-15  that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,  (15)  but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—

Children are easily swayed because they have not yet developed a discernment regarding what is right or wrong, good or bad.  Their parents must still tell them no that is not right.  The five fold ministry Paul spoke of to the Ephesians is designed to help the body grow up and into the Perfect Bride of Christ.  We begin that journey by first exhibiting the Love of Christ, which binds us all together.

There will be more on this tomorrow and we will finally finish Ephesians Chapter 4.  Have a very blessed day.

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This post first appeared on Living In The Word, please read the originial post: here

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Ephesians 4: The Perfect Bond of Love

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