Spirit-Energized Edification Is God's Plan For Each of Us
by Dr. John Barnett

Let's get a hold on two twin truths from Ephesians 4:12. In this verse we find the words God chose to use to describe our purpose as believers. All of us have a two part calling directly from the Lord Himself. What a thrill it is to know what we were created to do for God - and to do it!

Ephesians 4:12 "The spiritual gifts are given '...for the equipping (Gk. # 2677, n. from v. #2675 lit. "mending"; KJV 'perfecting') of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying (Gk. #3619 lit. "building up") of the body of Christ...' " NKJV

The terms edify and edification, were some of Paul's favorite words, when describing our ministry in Christ's church as believers. The basic meaning of the Greek word for edify (oikodomeo) is "to build a house" and by extension led to mean the building of anything. When used in our New Testaments it took the meaning of growing spiritually and helping others to grow up in a spiritual way. Anything that contributes to spiritual growth was said to edify.

Peter exhorts everyone at the end of his epistle to "grow in grace and the knowledge of Christ" (II Peter 3:18). In God's Word we find at least three basic means that God uses through us to help others grow:

1. God's Word. As Paul was leaving behind the beloved church he had invested his life into for over three years, he told the elders of the church standing with him at the port city of Miletus, "And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified" (Acts 20:32). The Bible, God's Word, is the key tool that the Lord uses to build our spiritual lives (John 17:17).
2. Preaching and teaching. Later in this letter to the Corinthians Paul tells them that, rather than being so concerned about speaking in tongues, they should focus on prophesying, or preaching, which "speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation." The "one who prophesies edifies the church" (1 Cor. 14:3-4).
3. Obedient Ministry prompted by Love. Our purpose as believers is to do "the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ" (Eph. 4:12); and as Paul reminds us only with love can this edify others, because only "love edifies" (1 Cor. 8:1).

"Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to his edification. For even Christ did not please Himself" (Rom 15:2-3).

"Therefore encourage one another, and build up one another, just as you also are doing" (1 Thess. 5:11).

Thursday, August 28, 2008