Divine Objective

Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: (Eph 4:13)

The Lord ascended on high that He might give gifts to His body on earth to bring about fruition to His divine objective in order to have a Church that reflects not its own glory but of His glory. Jesus Christ did not give positions or titles as in the five fold ministry, He gave gifts; if we see them as gifts because of His grace, we see ourselves as part of His divine purpose to attract people to Christ and not to ourselves.

Unity is echoed in the Psalms, the apostles writing and especially in the Lord Jesus’ prayer. We cannot enter into the state of the unity of the faith if we are interested in our own goals and working to force-fit spiritual values into them. The converse is what the Lord wants to achieve in all of us, that is to bring us on the journey along His path of Righteousness and not to include Him into our personal pilgrimage. Everything that bear spiritual facades will be tested and torn down; only that which is of Him, through Him and to Him will remain (Rom 11:36).

Profitability

And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. (Mat 25:15)

Serving the Lord is something inherent for believers who love Him and desire to do His will. However there isn’t any fruits that is sufficient out of the produce of our effort (Psa 50:8). It is not something birthed out of our abilities or out of our heart; our natural goodness is not what He is looking for. We may carry over the same goodness from before believing in Christ, thus using that which is from the old man as an offering isn’t working out what He has worked into us.

….. but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Rom 6:23)

What is more precious than the life of Christ given to us and productive life begets life. Fruitfulness is evident out of life that is healthy, thriving and giving. What Christ has given is expected to flow in and through us. The converse of giving life is to bring death. Our speech, our behavior, our character, bringing healing, bringing forgiveness, bringing peace, etc should be the clarion demonstration of the life of Christ manifested. Similarly, to love is the evidence of life; to hate is to bring about death (Matt 5:22).

And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes. (John 21:6)

Check our motivation in serving the Lord; is it out of human goodness or out of that which comes from above. Is what we do manifest out of the strength provided in our weakness (2 Cor 12:9)? Ultimately it’s the life of Jesus Christ that is to be imparted, to fulfill the great commission. It is Jesus Christ who calls us fisher of men; the sheep who hears His command will draw in the vast kingdom harvest, regardless of our natural talents or capabilities.