MERRY MONDAY BY PARRIS
Have you ever had the light turned on with a particular scripture and you’re like “wow, where have I been all these years?” This has been the story of my life, scripture forever twisting and winding taking on new meanings. Sometimes when you read different translations the word comes alive! For example “the amplified—becomes amplified”. Hint- read different translations and bible commentaries!
There is a lot of attention to the five-fold ministry. This is the verse that took on deeper meaning-
“And he has generously given each one of us supernatural grace, according to the size of the gift of Christ. And he has appointed some with grace to be apostles, and some with grace to be prophets, and some with grace to be evangelists, and some with grace to be pastors, and some with grace to be teachers. And their calling is to nurture and prepare all the holy believers to do their own works of ministry, and as they do this they will enlarge and build up the body of Christ.” Eph.4:11 Passion
I love the words to “nuture and prepare believers to do the works of the ministry; to enlarge and build up his body”. It goes on to say that these gifts that have been given to the fivefold ministry will function until “ we become one perfect man with the full dimensions of spiritual maturity and fully developed in the abundance of Christ.”
Rereading this verse makes me wonder how many times I’ve used the supernatural gifts for my own gain rather than for other believers to nurture them for the enlargement of his body? I Cor. 14:10 says, “If the bugle makes a garbled sound, who will recognize the signal to show up for the battle? So it is with you. Unless you speak in a language that’s easily understood, how will anyone know what you’re talking about? You might as well save your breath! And that’s what is happening among you. You are so passionate about embracing the manifestations of the Holy Spirit! Now become even more passionate about the things that strengthen the entire church.”
In other words do I get so caught up with the manifestations of the Holy Spirit that are going on around me that I forget the main purpose of the Holy Spirit is to actually build up, perfect and refresh the church? Do other believers understand what is happening or understand the grace gift in me and in others? Sometimes my passion/expression isn’t comprehended and the other person is not understanding where I am coming from. Hence we need the supernatural grace gift to supernaturally convey to others so that in turn they will be nurtured and they in turn enlarge the body is built up! So maybe my delivery needs tweaking, my love turned up to exercise patience as I use what he gave me to build up others; “till we all come into the unity of the faith”.