Where Do You Fit?

Do you ever wonder where you fit in or if you have a place where you belong? Well, you matter in the church! If you are a follower of Christ, you have a role to play in a local church. Your spiritual gifts are needed to fulfill God’s plan for that congregation. It’s important to determine what your spiritual gifts are and then find ways to use them. There are online inventories that will help you determine your gifts (such as gifts.churchgrowth.org), and God’s Word beautifully describes what the body of Christ can look like if we all exercise our gifts together.

When spiritual gifts are being used, the saints are equipped for the work of ministry, and the body of Christ is built up. Isn’t that what we want to see – believers being equipped to do what God has called them to do and the body of Christ being built up? In Ephesians 4, Paul gives an inspiring description of what can happen as spiritual gifts are exercised within a congregation. He writes that as the saints are equipped and the body is built up, certain results will be attained. 

Unified

The first result is unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God. While there will be differences and diversity among the members of a church body, the people are unified by their common faith in Christ and in their growing knowledge of Him. This knowledge includes learning from the Bible and living out what is learned. As believers engage in this pursuit together, they solidify their unity. 

Mature

The second result is maturity. Paul mentions maturity, along with building up or growing multiple times. This goal is important and is one of the primary purposes of the church. Each member can contribute to the maturity of the church body by growing spiritually and exercising their spiritual gifts. 

Christlike

The third result is Christlikeness, which Paul describes as attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. In other words, we are measuring up more and more to being like Christ. For example, we are displaying the fruit of the Spirit more abundantly in our lives and loving each other like Jesus. 

Not Deceived

The fourth result is not being deceived. Paul writes that we will no longer be children tossed back and forth by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine or by human cunning or by craftiness in deceitful schemes. We will recognize what is true! As we focus on truth, we will grow in unity as well. 

Loving

The fifth result is speaking the truth in love. There are two components of this characteristic. The first part relates to speaking the truth, in contrast to the idea of being deceived. The second part is speaking in love. Both aspects are characteristic of believers who are being built up in their faith. 

Paul’s final description in the list references back to Christlikeness. He writes that believers who are exercising their spiritual gifts within the body will be growing up in every way into Christ, who is the head of the body. The body is joined and held together by every joint, which refers to the people within the body of Christ. Paul says we are equipped, and then when each part is working properly, the body grows and is built up in love. The picture here is that we are growing and maturing just as a child grows from immaturity to maturity, and we are becoming more like Christ. When every member of the body becomes more like Christ, the whole body is collectively a beautiful reflection of the Savior. 

Imagine what a local body of Christ followers could look like if this description were true of them. What a beautiful sight that would be to see a unified group of people following Jesus, speaking the truth, loving each other, and growing continually more like Christ. Think about the impact that such a congregation could have as they turn that unity and love outward toward their community. The Christlike love and unity of a local church can be a beacon in a dark world that points people to Jesus.

Paul writes in Ephesians 2 that we are created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. And in Titus 3:8, Paul writes that those who have believed in God should devote themselves to good works. One way in which we can engage in these good works is by exercising our spiritual gifts. So, find where you fit and use your gifts for your own spiritual growth and for the benefit of those around you. If you do, you will become part of a maturing group of believers that is a captivating reflection of Christ to a world that is lost in darkness.