Last Sunday, we were studying Eph. 4:16 – “From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.”
We’re not going to deep-dive the whole verse, but here’s a Big Idea Flow:
- From Christ (the Head)
- The Body is joined and unified
- Every joint supplies
- Every part works
- The Body grows itself
- The Body builds itself up
- All of it happens in love
What I’d like to talk about is how Paul ends this verse – in love.
This is unquestionably the most important qualifier of all about the Body of Christ: “in love.” Again, he returns to love. Love is how we speak the truth (Eph. 4:15), and love is also the atmosphere that makes the Body unified and growing (Eph. 4:16). Love is the motivation behind our service. Love is the method by which truth is delivered. Without love, truth can be harsh and damaging. Without love, service becomes begrudging work – all worthless. Without love, growth becomes stagnant.
But when love governs the Body, everything functions the way God intended.
Truth builds-up saints in the faith instead of causing wounds. Service strengthens instead of burdens. Unity flourishes instead of fractures. Love has to be at the center of everything you say and do, especially with other members of the church.
At the Florida Regional Grace Conference, I brought up a verse that absolutely haunts me:
1 Cor. 13:2 – “And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.”
Can you believe that? He says, “I am nothing.”
Nothing.
Of course, we often define charity as “love in action.” And Paul isn’t saying that if he doesn’t have charity, his actions are nothing. He is saying that if he doesn’t live a life of charity, or love in action, then – I am nothing.
What does he mean by that?
Surely, he has some value because he’s a saint of God! He’s an apostle!
I’d suggest he means that without charity, the value of his life, the value his walk here on Earth before God is worthless.
And therefore, without charity – I am nothing.
If Paul does not embody love in action, his value as a saint on Earth is nonexistent. This is an emphatic form of “nothing,” too. He means that having no love nullifies his value.
Did you ever notice what he says in vs. 3?
“And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.”
If you’re doing good works and you’re trying to minister to people but you have no love, no charity, Paul says, “it profiteth me nothing.” He’s saying that if he does anything in this life for the Lord but it’s without love in action, if it’s without a disposition to love, if there’s no charity – there is no gain to him whatsoever.
Is he saying it’s a loss in this life or it’s a loss at the Bema Seat? YES.
How loving are you in your walk? How much do you embody love in action? I’ll bet it’s easy to love your family and saints at your church. But how loving are you to nasty confused unbelievers? How loving are you to other believers who don’t accept right division? Paul says if you aren’t being loving there is no profit to you. Ever.
You can be active in church. You can be involved. You can even be right about stuff — and still miss the whole point if love isn’t driving everything you do. Because love is the atmosphere of the Body. Love is the motive behind your service. Love is what turns truth into something that builds instead of wounds. Without love, everything else falls apart.
But when love is present, everything functions the way God intended.
SUPPLY OF GRACE 
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