But cgrace was given dto each one of us eaccording to the measure of Christ's gift. 8 Therefore it says,
9 (hIn saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into ithe lower regions, the earth?2 10 He who descended is the one who also jascended kfar above all the heavens, that he might lfill all things.) 11 And mhe gave the napostles, the prophets, theoevangelists, the pshepherds3 and teachers,4 12 qto equip the saints for the work of ministry, for rbuilding up sthe body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to tthe unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God,uto mature manhood,5 to the measure of the stature of vthe fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, wtossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in xdeceitful schemes. 15 Rather, yspeaking the truth in love, we are to zgrow up in every way into him who is athe head, into Christ, 16 bfrom whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, cwhen each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. Ephesias 4:7-16
When Christ accomplished His victory and returned to the Father, sending His Spirit with His gifts, it was in a sense a victory parade. But the gifts that he gave, rather than someone else's leftovers, are personal - they are right for the person, and become a part of who that person is, so that the persons themselves become the gift to the church. These Gifts are not to be put on a shelf for display. They are very practical for why He has given them: to build a church healthy and strong. The bottom line here is the same as in Romans 12 and I Corinthians 12 - the discussion of Spiritual gifts always leads to the theme of love. The Holy Spirit helps us act like God - carry out His work and display His character.
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