A couple of weeks ago I posted an article entitled God Is Sovereign, and You Are Significant. If you scroll down just a bit, you'll be able to see it. I would also recommend that you read the insightful comments that were posted as well.
Picking up on that theme, I'd like to share two portions of Scripture that relate in a wonderful way to each other and carry tremendous implications for us as God's people. In Psalm 68, David exults in the Lord God, who scatters his enemies and shares the spoils of war with his people. In verse 18, David exclaims to the Lord, "You ascended on high, leading a host of captives in your train and receiving gifts among men, even among the rebellious, that the Lord God may dwell there."
Interestingly, in Ephesians 4, the apostle Paul uses this text in relation to the church. In verses 7-8 he writes, "But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. Therefore it says, 'When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.'" This tells us a couple of things. First, the fact that Paul applied this text to Christ shows that he believed Jesus to be divine. Second, there is a slight discrepancy between the two texts. Paul says that "he gave gifts to men" rather than "receiving gifts among men." However, the verb "receive" (which is laqakh in Hebrew) can carry the idea of "receive in order to give."
So here is the picture: By his atoning work, Christ not only satisfied God's wrath against our sins, but he also conquered his enemies "and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead" (Romans 1:4). The Spirit of Christ has shared the "spoils" of his victory with us, his people. These include the spiritual unity, blessings and gifts outlined in Ephesians 4. The implication is clear: Just as Christ received in order to give, so we also receive in order to give. The Lord Jesus has gifted every member of his body, so that as each member does its part, the body of Christ is built up and grows into full maturity. Let me reiterate that: The body grows only as each member does its work! Remember also that this is God's work. He is using us to bring his redemptive purposes to pass! Have you considered the immense implications of this? Paul David Tripp doesn't think we have - not really. In his book, Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands, he writes,
Most of the time, we are oblivious to this. We are too easily captivated by our self-centered little worlds. But Ephesians 4 propels us beyond a life consumed by personal happiness and achievement. Your life is much bigger than a good job, an understanding spouse, and non-delinquent kids. It is bigger than beautiful gardens, nice vacations, and fashionable clothes. In reality, you are part of something immense, something that began before you were born and will continue after you die. God is rescuing fallen humanity, transporting them into his kingdom, and progressively shaping them into his likeness -- and he wants you to be a part of it.Your life is bigger than you ever imagined. You live in one moment in time, yet you stand hand-in-hand with Enoch, Noah, Joseph, Moses, Abraham, Isaac, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Matthew, Peter, Paul, Augustine, Calvin, Luther, and generations of unknown believers who understood their place in the kingdom and did their part in its work. Only as you keep this huge world in view will you be able to live and serve effectively in the small world where God has placed you.
Fellow believer, whoever you are, wherever you're at, please take this to heart. It will change your whole outlook on life, and "you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work" (2 Tim. 2:21 NLT).