Full Measures

Ephesians 4:11-14

English Standard Version

11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.

The ministries of the saints is an ongoing process that requires a measure of faith within each of us that is different from Paul’s comment here about the fullness of Christ. Christ in us is not divided, we have received Him in His fullness, John 1:16. The measure of faith in us is to do our part in these ministries and to be faithful in what we are called to do by He who is the Head. We are not meant to reach beyond what is given by seeking self-esteem.

God is to be glorified, not man. The stature of Christ will not be achieved until the second resurrection when all of His bride is gathered in Him. Until then we do all this in part.

1 Corinthians 13:8-10 English Standard Version

Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away.

When the fullness of Christ comes about with the second resurrection then what was given it part will no longer be required. The work will be complete and there will be no further need for the church age ministries. Until then, those gifts are needed and we should all do our part.

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