Whereas, the technical interpretation of this verse is to the Church of Rome, which probably was established after the day of Pentecost and included both Jews as well as Gentiles. Yet, the practical interpretation is to the Church today.

Question: Are you exercising your “Gifts”? Do you feel washed up? Finished? On the shelf? If so, then please read carefully the following:

1. Why Gifts? (Eph. 4:7–8) – “But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.”

Progressing through this passage of Scripture, which was written to the Church of Ephesus whereas Paul had spent around three years refuting false worship of Dianna, but at the same time he taught in the school of Tyrannous, sharing the undeniable, unmistakable, UNBREAKABLE Word of God, here we find WHY God gave GIFTS.

With that being said, and led by the Holy Spirit, he wrote to believers for the purpose of them understanding the plan of God for giving “SPIRITUAL GIFTS.” Simply put, it was to edify the body of Christ. 

“For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.” (Eph. 4:12–13)

2. What Gifts? (Rom. 12:6–8) – “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.”

These are what this Pastor likes to refer to as MOTIVATIONAL GIFTS. You can see the list and presume where God has “GIFTED” you. Do you know which gift(s)? Are you USING them, not ABUSING them?

3. How Gifts? (2 Cor. 5:10; 1 Cor. 3:10–11; Rev. 22:12) – “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”

Here we are told that the GIFTS given to believers are going to face scrutiny. We will be held to accountability as we stand before JESUS CHRIST at the BEMA judgment. Either we will be rewarded or suffer loss. That is of crowns, not salvation.

Conclusion: I love the Scripture that we studied today! It should motivate every Christian to be FAITHFUL to the Lord and His Church as we prepare to stand before Him at the BEMA judgment.

Remember, His GIFTS and CALLING are irreversible!