For the last few weeks we have briefly discussed the functions of the five equipping ministries listed in Ephesians 4:11. Now we will proceed to discuss their purpose in a little more depth, which is stated as being “for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:12). So what does it mean to “equip” the saints?
We often think of equipping as teaching but it is more than that. It is even more than training, which is more than just teaching. For example, when one is enlisted in the army they are taught in classrooms, then they are trained in the field to do what they have been taught from the textbooks. However, they are not equipped until they are given their weapons. The same is true in the church. In II Corinthians 10:3-4 we are told:
for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.
We might ask one question here that will highlight the degree of effectiveness of the present ministry of the church: How many Christians do you know who are equipped with divinely powerful weapons which are tearing down evil strongholds? Every Christian should have notches on their belt from all of the evil strongholds they have torn down!
From school curriculums to Hollywood to the media, powerful evil strongholds are growing in number and in power. Where are the divinely powerful weapons that can tear them down? What are they? Picketing and demonstrating against evil has accomplished little more than wearing out the saints. There has to be more power to confront and bring down evil than what we are now experiencing.
Truth spoken under the anointing is our most powerful weapon. This weapon can only be used from the strong fortress of a heart that is in unity with the truth. This is our first and most important devotion, to build up the body of Christ so that it is an impregnable fortress for truth and righteousness. Then we can be trusted with the prophetic unction to expose the darkness and call people back to the standards of righteousness that are already written throughout the creation, as we are told in Romans 1:20:
The law of God’s righteous ways are not only written throughout the creation, they are also a witness in the conscience of every human being. Our consciences can become “seared” insensitive, by continually doing what we know to be evil, but the witness of God’s ways is already sown through the creation, including mankind. Our goal is to return to the solid rock of living by the truth that is more fundamental and obvious than any other, and awakening this in others so that they cast off the chains of darkness to live by the Light.
One of the most powerful examples of the power of the anointing to change the world is in the life of John Calvin. Regardless of what we may think of his theology, he is one of the most remarkable men to have ever lived. What Calvin accomplished in Geneva would be the equivalent of having a pastor of a church dictate policy throughout a world-class city simply by the power of his preaching. Without holding a political office, and without even being a Swiss citizen, he ruled Geneva more thoroughly than any potentate by preaching the Word from his pulpit. A sermon from him could unravel the most powerful evil stronghold over the people. No law or code was passed without his approval in the city, and the force of his opinion on a matter carried more weight than all other city officials combined. How? He spoke by the anointing with perfect clarity into the great issues of his time. No one could gainsay his wisdom, or the anointing, which was backed up by a life that was consistent and true.
Such influence cannot be explained by the force of mere human personality or charisma. It is a spiritual authority the Lord does not give cheaply. Even so, it should be the goal of every believer for the light within them to have more influence over their environment than any power or philosophy from hell ever could. Christians in the first century had this kind of power, and we should not settle for anything less.
To do this we must go to a new level of teaching, training, and equipping of believers. Like a new army recruit, a believer must be first taught the standards of God’s righteousness and His ways, the schemes of the enemy, and how we are to live. They must then be trained, just as soldiers are taken to the field to practice, to learn to shoot and take care of their weapons until they are effective with them. The Christian life should be even more challenging, requiring more devotion and training than any special forces.
True Christianity is the most challenging life we can have, but also the most fulfilling. It is the ultimate adventure. It is far more than attending a couple of boring meetings a week. The reality of true Christianity must be recovered, and the power of the truth we have been entrusted with restored.