Spoils Of War

Read: Ephesians 4:1-13

When he ascended to the heights, he led a crowd of captives and gave gifts to his people. Ephesians 4:8

IN WORD

After winning a key battle and conquering his enemy, an ancient king would lead a procession of captives—often shaved or stripped for humiliation—back to his home city and distribute to his own citizens the plunder he had taken. That’s the picture given in Paul’s writings of the victory of Jesus, who stripped the principalities and powers of darkness and humiliated them at the cross (Colossians 2:15). Here Paul refers to the same victory procession in order to convince his readers that they have been given supernatural gifts, distributed by the victorious King.

What are these gifts? They include everything necessary for building up the Kingdom—apostleship (or being sent as leaders and equippers), prophecies about Kingdom insights, the spreading of the Good News, the shepherding of people, and the teaching of Kingdom truths. In other words, Jesus has given whatever the people of God need for their Kingdom mission, not only for their own use but in the further equipping of many others. They are more powerful than talents and skills, more valuable than we might think, and more adaptable to unique personalities than we often treat them. They are precious commodities in the Kingdom economy.

IN DEED

Scripture gives us a picture of Kingdom citizens in this world that portrays us as one organic whole with multifaceted functions and assignments. We are all gifted with some supernatural capability—a fact we often miss when dealing with the simple humanity of people around us. And we are all destined for some key role in reflecting the heart of the King and equipping or mobilizing His people in this world. We can’t afford to overlook or downplay these truths; they are vital to our purpose in this age. The enemy has already been plundered, the citizens have already been lavished with spoils of war, and untaken territory lies gaping all around us. What’s left? To step into it armed with faith, gifts, and the backing of the King Himself.

ADDITIONAL READING: Colossians 2:13-15

[Spiritual gifts] are not trophies, but tools—tools for touching and blessing others.

JOHN WIMBER