In any case, the purpose of the gifts and ministries given to the Body of Christ by the Spirit of God is to bring the believers to the same living faith in the Lord Jesus (not the same theological position), to the full knowledge of the Son of God, until each attains maturity as measured by the stature of the fullness of Christ. It is only as we attain such maturity that we are suitable helpers for the great Head of the Servant of the Lord.

And notice:

Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. (Ephesians 4:15,16—NIV)

My own opinion is that such building up takes place now and also after we die. If the building up does not continue after we die, how can we all come to perfection together? However, this is not to say we can be careless today and make up for it after we die. If we are not fully diligent today, then, when we die, we shall be treated as a lazy, wicked servant, in accordance with the parable of the talents.

But how are we to determine what our gifts and ministries are and how are we to go about using them? I am personally acquainted with the ministry of laying on of hands and personal prophecy in order to assist the believers in receiving and operating gifts and ministries. These are helpful contributions. However, there is another method that is more certain. This is to present our body an offering to God in total consecration.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual  act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:1,2—NIV)

There is only one sure way to discover the will of God each day, and that is to offer our body as a living sacrifice each day. In this way we are able to "test and approve what God's will is."

After we have determined what God's will is, we then are to use our gift and ministry in a practical manner, behaving modestly according to the proportion of faith God has assigned to us.

So in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his  faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; If it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. (Romans 12:5-8—NIV)

Remember, the end product of our contribution is to build up the Body of Christ until it becomes a suitable helper for the Lord Jesus.

To be continued.