Results from Our Gifts: How Spiritual Gifts Shape a Healthy Church

Results from Our Gifts: What Happens When We All Do Our Part

When God gives gifts, He expects results. He does not pour grace into our lives so that nothing changes. In Ephesians 4:14–15, Paul shows the results from our gifts when we all use them the way God plans.

Ephesians 4:14–15 says:

“As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine,
by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming;
but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ.”

So what should happen when the church uses its gifts well? Three big things:

  1. We stop being spiritual children.
  2. We stand firm in truth, not lies.
  3. We speak the truth in love and grow up into Christ.

Results from Our Gifts: No More Tossed Around

Paul says we should not act like “children, tossed here and there by waves.” Picture a tiny boat on a huge ocean. Waves slam into it. Wind pushes it. The boat has no control.

Many believers live that way. A new trend comes. They follow it. A clever teacher talks. They believe him. A friend shares a new “revelation.” They chase after it.

But the results from our gifts in a healthy church look very different. Mature teaching anchors us. Solid relationships steady us. Strong leaders guard us.

Colossians 2:8 warns us:

“See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception,
according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.”

False teaching always sounds deep. It often sounds kind. But it moves you away from Christ. It puts your hope in feelings, in signs, in money, in self, or in some leader.

God gave gifts so that the church teaches truth, tests error, and holds to Christ alone.

Truth in Love: The Mark of a Growing Church

Verse 15 gives a short line that many people quote but few obey:

“but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him, who is the head, even Christ.”

We need both parts:

  • Truth without love feels harsh.
  • Love without truth feels sweet but kills slowly.

Real love cares enough to tell the truth. Real truth cares enough to speak with tears, not with pride.

Sometimes people think love means never saying, “This is sin.” But silence never saves. If your friend walks toward a cliff, love does not smile and wave. Love shouts a warning.

At the same time, truth should not crush the person. Galatians 6:1 gives wisdom:

“Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness;
each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.”

Gentleness does not hide the truth. Gentleness brings the truth in a way the heart can hear.

Unity, Not Uniformity

Some people think unity means we all look the same, talk the same, think the same on every detail. That is not what Scripture teaches.

Psalm 133:1 says:

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!”

Unity comes when we share one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one gospel (Ephesians 4:4–6). We may have many different styles, backgrounds, and cultures. We may disagree on small issues. But we stand together on the core truths of the faith.

Uniformity just copies the world’s system or a group’s style. Unity comes from the Spirit of God as we gather around the Word of God.

1 John 2:15–16 warns us again:

“Do not love the world nor the things in the world.
If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life,
is not from the Father, but is from the world.”

The world calls evil good and good evil. It wants the church to bless every lifestyle. The world wants us to “love” but never “repent.”

But we follow Christ. We hold His Word, speak with tears and we warn with love.

Growing Up in All Things Into Christ

Paul says we “grow up in all aspects into Him, who is the head, even Christ.” That means Jesus shapes every part of life:

  • Your mind: what you believe.
  • Your heart: what you love.
  • Your body: what you do.
  • Your time: how you spend your days.
  • Your gifts: how you serve the church.

As you sit under sound teaching, as you serve, as you speak the truth in love, you change. Slowly, deeply, steadily, you start to look more like Jesus.

Psalm 32:10 draws a sharp line:

“Many are the sorrows of the wicked,
But he who trusts in the LORD, lovingkindness shall surround him.”

The world’s path looks free, but it ends in sorrow. God’s path looks narrow, but it overflows with love.

So lean in. Listen. Test what you hear. Use the gifts God gave you. The results from our gifts will show in a stable, loving, truth-filled church that points a broken world to a real Savior.

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