Wednesday, April 20, 2005
Ephesians 4:11-12 ... the One who ascended far above all the heavens ... He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.
FROM CHRIST WITH LOVE
The early church was poor -- but the best gift was not money. The early church was persecuted -- but the best gift was not government protection. The early church had no worship places of their own -- but the best gift was not property. No, the best gifts of the risen Christ to His Church -- then and now -- were people. People who spoke the word of God to the people of God -- so that they could comfort, strengthen and encourage each other in the faith -- so that they could speak the good news of the Savior to others.
One of the greatest of such "people-gifts" from our Lord was Paul the Apostle. He was missionary to many nations of the Mid-East and Europe, inspired author of more than a dozen New Testament books, staunch defender of the central truth of the Scriptures: namely, that we receive forgiveness of sins and are justified before God not by our works but by God's grace, for Christ's sake through faith.
Truly Paul was a "gift that keeps on giving."
Who has the Lord given to you as a gift for the strengthening of your faith, for your equipping -- that you may strengthen, share?
And you? To whom has the Lord given you as a gift for the strengthening of their faith, To whom has Jesus sent you with news of His redeeming love?
Jesus lives! Why weepest thou? Why that sad and frequent sigh?
He who died our Brother here Lives our Brother still on high,
Lives forever to bestow Blessings on His Church below. (TLH 188:3)
