Five Operations of the Holy Spirit Part 8
The "unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God," the "perfect man," the "measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ," of Ephesians 4:13 have little to do with imputed (ascribed) perfection. Perfection is not imputed to us. It is righteousness that is imputed to us (Romans 4:22).
The ministries do not labour to bring about imputed perfection in us. They labor to bring about actual perfection in us. This distinction must be kept firmly in mind or the disciple will retreat into an unreal world of ascribed perfection in which his sins and shortcomings are somehow turned into acceptable behaviour by a magical "grace." Many continue in this mistaken understanding of the grace of God in spite of the numerous New Testament warnings to the contrary.
The gifts and ministries given each member of the Body of Christ are for the purpose of bringing the saints, individually and collectively, to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.
It is ridiculous for us to maintain that God, having given birth to children, is not able to cause them to grow to maturity. We become discouraged by what we see in ourselves and in others, saying that God cannot bring us to maturity. We are looking in the wrong direction. If we dwell in the Scriptures, being full of faith in the things God has said, we will come to realize that God is abundantly able to bring us to full stature in Christ.
Having brought each member to full stature (and we are hewn into shape before we are brought to the site of the construction of the Temple of God, to follow the symbolic significance of Solomon's Temple), God then will bring the Body together, as Jesus prayed in John, Chapter 17. If the work were of men we would despair. Because the plan and program is of God, and not of men, we know it will be brought to complete fulfilment.
Our part is to believe what God has stated in His Word and to be full of faith and diligent in the exercise of our own gift and ministry. God's part is to bring the work to successful completion. He is perfecting us now. The days to come will reveal that out of the confusion of life on earth the perfect Body of Christ that God envisions will be formed, and the Head, Christ, will appear as the crowning Glory of the Body.
If we measure our attainment by any standard other than the stature of the fullness of Christ we will not be able to bear the rigorous operations of God. We will come short of the Glory of God. We must learn to keep our eyes steadfastly on the goal that God has established—the fullness of Christ. If we will keep our eyes on that goal we will be able to cooperate with the Holy Spirit as He brings us to the goal. We overcome the world by faith in what God has said.
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; (Ephesians 4:14)
One wonders just what kind of opposition it was that Paul faced, for he refers several times to teachers who were destroying the flock. Apparently it was the same thing we experience today when God's people are kept in some little fold, having been made the prey of a teacher who is serving his own interests rather than the Spirit of God. The result of many little kingdoms of believers is that the members remain children. Their pastor-teacher is making merchandise of them without even realizing it. May God send to us teachers who will lead us on to the fullness of redemption.
But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: (Ephesians 4:15) We who are members of the Body of Christ must keep on speaking the truth, holding forth the Word of Life. This is our responsibility to the Church and to the world. We are a lighthouse by which souls in the darkness and confusion of the storm can make their way to the safety of the shore. We are to keep on presenting the Divine truth in the spirit of love and gentleness, just as Jesus did.
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 4:16)
The whole Body of Christ is to be "fitted together and compacted" by the virtue that each "joint" supplies. All the wisdom and energy flows down from the Head, and it is the Head into whom we grow up. Each part (each saint) is to perform its task. The Body of Christ not only holds out the Word of Life in the darkness of this age but also is continually building itself up.
As the Holy Spirit leads us in the developing and enlarging of our ability to minister there comes to us a love for those to whom we are ministering. There is no effective ministry apart from love because when there is no love the people to whom the ministry is directed hear many words but do not feel the drawing of the Lord.
When the Holy Spirit works through us He "salts" the food with love so that the Lord's sheep will eat. The sheep will not eat until they feel the love of the Shepherd, Jesus. The ministries and gifts that come to every Christian from the ascended Christ proceed from the love of the Shepherd for His flock. The love that flows from Christ must be ministered along with the grace that the "joint" is supplying.
If the exercise of our gifts and ministries is such an important part of the work of the Holy Spirit in sanctification, how, then, do we go about finding out what our ministries are? How do we determine the mind of the Holy Spirit as to the use of them? The answers to those two questions can be found only as we consecrate ourselves to Christ.
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. (Romans 12:1)
The basis of our service to God is the presenting of our body a living sacrifice. It might be more pleasing to us if it were our soul and spirit that were to be offered up. The Lord requires the consecration of our body (and our spirit and soul also).