The Gift Has a Purpose!
There are some places in scripture which admittedly are difficult to comprehend. It takes a master Biblical scholar to dissect both the intent and the purpose. However, there are some passages that are crystal clear. And Ephesians the fourth chapter is one of those selections that bring to life God’s plan and our purpose. We may accept the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus but not really understand why He had to do what He did. A thorough reading of Ephesians 4 brings that to light, and not only that it goes on to fully describe what we are to do with what He gave us:
8 Therefore it says,
"When He ascended on high,
He led captivity captive,
And He bestowed gifts on men."…
11 And [His gifts to the church were varied and] He Himself appointed some as apostles [special messengers, representatives], some as prophets [who speak a new message from God to the people], some as evangelists [who spread the good news of salvation], and some as pastors and teachers [to shepherd and guide and instruct], 12 [and He did this] to fully equip and perfect the saints (God’s people) for works of service, to build up the body of Christ [the church]; 13 until we all reach oneness in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, [growing spiritually] to become a mature believer, reaching to the measure of the fullness of Christ [manifesting His spiritual completeness and exercising our spiritual gifts in unity]. 14 So that we are no longer children [spiritually immature], tossed back and forth [like ships on a stormy sea] and carried about by every wind of [shifting] doctrine, by the cunning and trickery of [unscrupulous] men, by the deceitful scheming of people ready to do anything [for personal profit]. Ephesians 4: (selected verses- AMP)
Jesus was well aware of the cunning craftiness of satan. He knew by experience that even if the temptation he brought to us would not work, that satan would only go away for a season. That he would come back again and again to wear us down. Jesus also knew that satan didn’t come in a red garment with a pitchfork; in fact, his best form was in the hearts of men and women who allowed him entry into their lives.
In God’s infinite wisdom God devised a plan where men and women would also be used to protect God’s people from satan’s schemes. God established apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers, each with a specialized function in order that God’s people would be prepared to live in this world and defeat every enemy of their soul. Jesus had to come to earth and walk among us to experience every temptation common to man, and through the means of dependence upon the Holy Spirit He was able to withstand them without sin (Hebrews 4:15) . If we depend upon God and those God has assigned to lead us unto paths of righteousness we can also defeat the schemes of satan and whoever he decides to use.
Maria