Our house is almost one hundred years old. It has a detached garage that was made for a horse and buggy, so it doesn’t fit a car. We use it for storage and my tool bench. Recently we started remodeling it so we would create an area for our four teenagers to have a place to hang out and practice their instruments. It is a labor of love for my wife and I. The church is also built by love.
Ephesians 4:15-16
Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into Him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
Work of the Ministry
Chapter four of Ephesians is all about God building up the church. He does that through the leadership whose job it is to equip the saints for the work of the ministry. That should bring spiritual growth and unity to the Body of Christ. When things get out of line, it is the leadership’s responsibility to speak the truth in love to bring people back into alignment.
Builds Itself Up
In a culture that exalts “doing their own thing,” there will be people that buck this system. They don’t want anyone telling them what to do, but that is a sign of immaturity. Jesus wants us to grow up in every way. When each believer is doing their part, the whole church grows and builds itself up in love.
Labor of Love
The work of the church is a labor of love. When the leaders and the people are motivated that way, there is no stopping what God can do through it. Make sure you are being equipped to do the work of the ministry, that your motivation is love, and that you are growing in your faith. When this happens, the church benefits, and the world is reached with the Gospel.