Does every believer have a gift and ministry? Yes, he or she does. Each of us has a ministry and we are to perform it diligently. If we do not we will be judged as someone who has buried his talent, and there is a harsh penalty for being lazy in the things of the Kingdom.

There is one Body of Christ. The Holy Spirit has placed within the one Body a great variety of gifts, administrations, and workings. The accent is on diversity. The chief purpose of all gifts and ministries is to bring the members to maturity. We are built up by that which every part supplies.

The Spirit of God works in such marvelous, wonderful ways that it is a feast, an adventure, a romance every day (although sometimes the outward circumstances become exceedingly grievous). As we listen to the Spirit He leads us step by step in personal growth as well as in ministry.

Those who have been fruitful in Christian service know that the fruit comes from our love relationship to the Lord Jesus. The fruit follows our love for Him. We do not have to go forth and blindly attempt to work for the Lord. When we do we may travel across land and sea to make one convert and then make him twofold more the child of Hell than ourselves.

We are always to wait for the Spirit. What an unceasing joy and wonder it is to see the myriad of subtle as well as dramatic methods the Spirit employs to bring people to Christ. We find ourselves watching the process and marveling at the joy and peace of the Lord.

Let us listen to the voice of the Spirit and watch for His leading. He will make us fishers of men according to our unique personality.

It is well to keep in mind when we are ministering that the Gospel is a seed that is sown. If we will patiently sow seed, as the Lord leads, the Holy Spirit will cause another to water. Then God will give the increase. We do not have to sow and reap in the same evening.

If our ministry is to reap what other people have sown, then the Spirit will lead us in this also.

If some conscientious believer who is reading these words feels forced to enter some kind of ministry, then let us lift the load of condemnation from that one. May our words come as a jubilee of deliverance so the humble may lift up guilt-free hearts and hear the sweet, gentle voice of the Spirit as our good Shepherd leads us into green pastures beside the still waters, and teaches us according to our unique personality and gifts to become a fisher of men.

Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord. (Psalms 27:14)

The standard of maturity to which we have been called is the "stature of the fulness of Christ."

Apostles, prophets, evangelists, gifts of healing, of miracles—all are for the purpose of creating the complement of the Lamb, the pure and holy Bride.

The Body builds up itself in the Head until every member arrives at the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, until he is a perfect man as measured by the standard, which is the Lord Jesus.

To be continued.