THE FIRST and FOREMOST ACTIVITY

"When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men . . . And 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" (Eph 4:8,11-12)

OUR TEXT DECLARES what the Lord Jesus did after He ascended up on high, "leading captivity captive" (4:8). High above this present evil world, and out of the reach of the devil, He now "fills all things." There is no arena where His dominating influence is not found – no area where He does not rule. Everything is under His authority, and all power in heaven and earth has been given to Him (Matt 28;18). He has "power over all flesh" (John 17:2). Jesus is "on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto Him" (1 Pet 3:22). What will He do with this power? Where will His concentration be found? Our text affirms He "gave gifts unto men" (4:8). Those gifts are listed in order of priority, and with the ultimate purpose of God in mind. The gifts were people – redeemed personalities that would carry out Divine intent. They included apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastor/teachers. All of them are instructing gifts. The Apostles received the initial insight and message. Prophets speak with insight into God's purpose. Evangelists proclaim the Gospel with insight and power. Pastor/teachers lead and feed, bringing stability to those in Christ. Why did Jesus do this? What is His purpose in doing so?

THE FIRST AND FOREMOST ACTIVITY in this world is the building up of the body of Christ. Every spiritual gift was given for this purpose (Eph 4:11-16; 1 Cor 12:7), as our text affirms. The Scriptures themselves are given for this intent: "that THE MAN OF GOD might be perfect" (2 Tim 3:16-17). This is the thrust of the Holy Spirit's intercession for "US" (Rom 8:26). It is also the exclusive focus of Christ's intercession: "FOR US," and "THEM THAT COME UNTO GOD BY HIM" (Rom 8:34; Heb 7:25). The most precise expression of Christ's love relates to the church: He "loved THE CHURCH and gave Himself FOR IT" (Eph 5:25). Only the church has unreserved access to God, to obtain mercy and find grace in the time of need (Rom 5:2; Eph 2:18; 3:12; Heb 4:15-16). Jesus is the High Priest for the church (Heb 3:1; 6:20). Only the church is "the body of Christ" (1 Cor 12:23), the "people of God" (Heb 4:9), "heirs of God," and "joint heirs with Christ" (Rom 8:17). They alone are being saved "by His life" (Rom 5:10). They alone will "meet the Lord in the air" (1 Thess 4:17). They are the only ones for whom God working all things together for good (Rom 8:28).

THIS BY NO MEANS deprecates preaching the Gospel "to every creature" (Mk 16:16) or making"disciples of all nations" (Matt 28:19). But when it comes to the emphasis – the thrust – of heavenly activity, it is toward the church! Every spiritual gift is "For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ" (Eph 4:11-12). Holy angels minister to the "heirs of salvation" (Heb 1:13-14). The "inheritance" is "reserved" for them in heaven, and they alone are "kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time" (1 Pet 1:5). These are "the people of God" (1 Pet 2:10), "the children of God" (Gal 3:26), "the sons of God" (1 John 3:1-2), and "the beloved of God" (Rom 1:7). It is in our best interest to have the same focus as our God – to engage in the same primary activity as the Son of God. Proper emphasis is everything!

– Given O. Blakely