“And His gifts were varied; (He Himself appointed and gave men to us)…His intention was the perfecting and the full equipping of the saints (His consecrated people), that they should do the work of ministering toward building up Christ’s body (the church)” (Eph. 4:11-12 AMP).
There is a reason why God gave us the five-fold ministry gifts. His intention was to perfect the church and to fully equip the saints.
Now we need to know what the word perfect means. The world tells us that perfect means that you have it all together. However, God sees you as perfect when you are adjusting your life to the Word of God. We have to know the Word to build on the foundation God has established in our lives.
The church has to make the decision that whatever they find in the Word of God, they will adjust to and adapt to accordingly. Also, dismiss any thoughts that only preachers are to do the work of the ministry. What the preacher does is bring the saints to the place where they can adjust their lives. Then we can all do the work of God.
Ephesians 4:12 outlines God’s intention for the body of Christ. Why does He want us to do this? We must do it so that we may all come into the unity of the faith and come into the knowledge of the Son of God.
We may know Jesus as our Lord and Savior, but do we know Him as the Anointed One? When you know Jesus as the Anointed One, you can’t be shaken. What is that little thing that Satan is trying to throw at you when you have the anointing?
Things may be against you, but they won’t be successful. So why are you afraid? You have God Almighty on your side!
Scripture References: Rom. 8:31; 1 John 4:4
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Pastor Deborah L. Butler is the first lady Word of Faith International Christian Centre located in Southfield, Michigan where she serves in ministry with her husband, Bishop Keith A. Butler.
Pastor Deborah is a licensed and ordained minister of the Gospel. Her encouraging, yet down-to-earth teaching imparts wisdom from the Word of God into all that hear her speak. One of Pastor Butler’s many duties is serving as the Director of the Women of Virtue Ministry. Pastor Deborah is often called to travel to other ministries to teach and admonish women to walk in the wisdom of God, and to experience peace in every area of their lives.