Royal Life
Daily Devotional & Prophecy
February 19, 2021
Discovering Christ In Ephesians.
We saw from our last discussion that we all are graced with divine gifts to manifest God to his creation. That he ascended on high leading captivity captive and gave gifts unto men.
Then the apostle continues;
(Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? Ephesians 4:9
Yes, the Lord Jesus descended from his lofty abode, from the beauty and glory of heaven to a very mean abode even as this earth. This is the highest humiliation for God to bear. The heavens are higher than the earth, the earth became cursed after the sin of Adam.
God leaving his Holy and righteous throne to walk the earth, to take the body of a man, and to die by the hand of his own creation is the greatest humiliation ever seen. This is what it means by he descended to the lowest parts of the earth. (Psalm 139:15).
Then we hear;
He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) Ephesians 4:10
It is the same Jesus who descended who has also ascended up and not another. The same Lord that came down and put on the body of a man, is the same one that ascended up “far above all heavens”
He ascended up far above all physical heavens to the holiest, even the third heaven to appear before God for the ungodly. That he ascended it is but ” that he might fill all things”
The Greek word translated for fill above is the word πληρόω – plēroō and it means to make replete that is (literally) to cram (a net) level up (a hollow) or (figuratively) to furnish (or imbue diffuse influence) satisfy, execute (an office) finish (a period or task) verify (or coincide with a prediction ( Strong’s Concordance G4137).
This is saying the Lord Jesus ascended into the Holiest just like the old testament high priests would do to make replete all things, his incarnate life through his sufferings and death fulfilled a lot of things as it concerns the redemption of sensible sinners as you and I, but his ascension leveled up all things.
The blood presented before the the mercy seat, eternally satisfied the demands of Justice before the tribunal of God for you and I. His ascension finished the work of redemption and stamped the unqualified verified righteous before the righteousness of God.
As the eternal being, his sacrifice has filled past, present and future demands of the Justice of God. And since He ascended to the holiest, presenting a one time sacrifice for all sins, fulfilling every jot of the requirement of the law, men are today qualified by this work to receive gifts from the sovereign Lord.
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; Ephesians 4:11
This is what many call the five-fold ministry. These are God’s gifts to men. These are the custodians of the mysteries of the gospel. They are all unique and each is as important to the Body as the other. And they all are given:
For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Ephesians 4:12
“for the perfecting of the saints,” this is the duty of these gifts God gave to the body of Christ. They are to renew, complete, and settle the saints in their inheritance in Christ.
Though all saints have perfection in their spirit as a gift, yet in our souls we lack the total knowledge of God. Hence, there is need for perfection.
The work of these Gifts to the Body of Christ is not for entertainment, neither is it measly for motivation. But for doctrinal perfection.
A lot of what we see today is just mere amusement. A mere religious razzmatazz. Because many of us have neglected our duty, an average Christian today does not truly understand simple truths of salvation. Talk more of availing himself for “The work of the ministry”
Saints are to be perfected by the prophets, apostles, evangelists, pastors and teachers for the work of the ministry. This is saying every saint is called to the work of the ministry. Everyone is given grace and gifts which we saw in our last discussion, and at the return of the Lord, all are going to give account!
You see, if you are busy motivating people, gaining acceptance and are not actually preparing people for ministerial work, you may just have gone the way of Balaam. These offices are not a title, but a place of great responsibility.
And if you are Christian and have not submitted yourself to be discipled, where you are perfected for the work of the ministry, please do for this is God’s counsel for you.
There is something God has invested in you to profit his kingdom. Remember, no matter how little you may feel your gift is, we all must give an account to how we all invested our gifts and talents in the expansion of his kingdom.
You are to be perfected for the work of the ministry so you can be used ” for the edifying of the body of Christ.”
CONFESSION:
Blessed father, thank you for what you have done for me in Christ. His ascension has satisfied every demand of Justice over my life. He ascended and is appearing before your mercy seat for me, an announcement that I am in his blood complete, for as he is, so are am I in this world.
Thank you for your gifts to the Body, thank you for what they are already doing, I pray for divine effectiveness and truth to your call be manifested more evidently in their lives. And I pray for all saints for the grace to accept these gifts even more.
I pray for humility and submission to increase among all saints, that your call to service be effectuated in each life. Strengthen those that are already in your counsel. Thank you dear Lord for you have already answered me in Christ. In Jesus mighty name, Amen!
PROPHETIC INSIGHT:
In an encounter with the Lord, I heard “Do not be afraid, the darkness and light are same unto me. The law of the Spirit of life is at work in your life, and sin and death have no place any longer.
What you see is the old leaving, for I have made a new and living way erupting for you my child. Keep standing strong, at the end of it all, you will not be put to shame, for I have placed you under my law of life”
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:2
Blessings in Christ,
Pastor Jahfas Victor Ahua
Living Hill Christian Church.