The power for being equipped and matured into a lovingly authentic proclaimer is not in believers themselves, in their leaders, or in church structure. The power is found in Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. The two present passive participles in Ephesians 4:16 are meant to express that the close, tight, compacted correlation of function in the Body as an organism is the result of Christ’s power. Who else could forge a bond in the 12 disciples? The proper working of each individual in the church recalls the importance of each believer’s gift. The growth of any church is not a result of clever methods but of every member of the Body fully using their spiritual gifts in close contact with other believers. The power in the church flows from the Lord through individual believers and relationships between believers. Where God’s people have close relationships of genuine spiritual ministry, God works. He does not look for creativity, ingenuity, or cleverness, but for willing and loving obedience. All of this is to be done in love, according to 1 Corinthians 13. When the church displays love to one another, the world will know that it is of the Lord, not man. My friend, learn to allow love to be the catalyst for all you say and do. It is not easy, but ask yourself, “Is what I am about to say or do, come across in a loving manner.”
