Ephesians 4:11-16 GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)
11 He also gave apostles, prophets, missionaries, as well as pastors and teachers as gifts to his church.
12 Their purpose is to prepare God’s people to serve and to build up the body of Christ.
13 This is to continue until all of us are united in our faith and our knowledge of God’s Son until we become mature until we measure up to Christ, who is the standard.
14 Then we will no longer be little children, tossed and carried about by all kinds of teachings that change like the wind. We will no longer be influenced by people who use cunning and clever strategies to lead us astray.
15 Instead, as we lovingly speak the truth, we will grow up completely in our relationship to Christ, who is the head.
16 He makes the whole body fit together and unites it through the support of every joint. As each and every part does its job, he makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
ALL of our ministries will be different, and we all will tackle subjects that are different. We must not be contradictory to each other to cause confusion. The goal of our various ministries is to represent a vision of the Kingdom of God here on earth. Our individual ministry is to reveal love and unity so that all people can see that we are sold out to represent God through our work on this earth.
God’s Word makes it clear that there is unity in diversity, and we need to understand each human being has unique characteristics. God image should be the only image we desire to be like on earth. We are each unique, and our cultural values will be unique also.
We were created in God’s image to love each other, but not to necessarily please each other. So, let’s respect that we are “one of a kind” and recognize that each ministry WILL NOT be “One Size Fit All.” Please make sure that you exhibit God’s grace and love, and do not be judgmental of others ministry.
“Life Is Only What You Make It”
Vernessie M. Joseph-Burbank
