“But, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.” vs15-16

Love is the way the body of Christ is built up. The church loves itself in the truth, speaks in love, and each member plays a part, using God’s gifts to serve in the Spirit. Everyone is involved, and everyone is at work.

There are no idle members in God’s kingdom: we are all important. Don’t say, “The pastor is there, and so and so is there, so they don’t need me.” You have been gifted by our Lord Jesus, and as the gospel is preached, you are increased in knowledge, service, and love. You are built up to help others!

That’s the way of the kingdom: Christ saves, so that we can serve. He appointed Paul, saying,

“‘But get up and stand on your feet. For I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen from Me and what I will show you.” ~ Acts 26:16

We are saved to serve, and love is how we do it: We receive the truth, and then we minister it in love, because Christ saved us.

What is your relationship to the church? Do you have a faithful minister or an imposter?

“And He Himself gave some apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers.” vs11

Does he pretend himself an Apostle? They had special verified miracles and received infaillible direct revelations. Your apostle does not. Does he claim to be a Prophet [vs11]? There are no more. We have the finished word of God. Is he an evangelist [vs11]? If so, then he travels place to place preaching sovereign grace. Is your pastor and teacher faithful [vs11]? Then hear him, love the saints, and honor Christ.

You haven’t been saved to keep it to yourself, but to USE YOUR LIFE by laying it down, so that you find it [Matt 16:25].