Ephesians 7,11-12

But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it... It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,

(v7, 11, NIV)

There apparently is the giving out of grace. This grace is apportioned by Christ. In verse 11, Paul lists out a number of different roles that are given by Christ. Not everybody is the same, and different people have different roles and duties and responsibilities.

to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up

(v12, NIV)

The purpose of the distribution of roles as described in verse 11 is given here in verse 12. This is for the preparation for works of service. Each and every person who is a believer and follower of the Lord Jesus Christ submits him or herself to God. We are his servants and he is our master and Lord. As such, there are duties we must do and work to accomplish. What's amazing is that God tells us what to do and he even equips us for the work. We're not simply charged to go do some outrageous task that is far too difficult for us to accomplish without even the tools to start. God equips us with what we need to face the work he has instructed us to do. Now, this doesn't mean that it'll be a walk in the park. Work is still work and we still have a task in front of us to accomplish.

So now, why are we being equipped to accomplish the task in front of us? Was it not to simply accomplish whatever we've been instructed to do by our Lord? This whole process of following the Lord Jesus Christ and the receiving of grace from God and receiving equipping from God to do the task he lays before us serves a purpose. The purpose is the building up of the body of Christ. As followers of Jesus Christ we form the church and the members of his body. We build each other up through this process. It's pretty amazing how it works. God tell us what to do and equips us to do it. All we need to do is to actually do it. The result is that the body is built up, so I am benefited and so are other believers. Again, this doesn't mean I won't face persecution and suffering and calamities. However, I will continue to trust in the Lord and obey him.