May 15 Each One

Ephesians 4:7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift.
 
IF you were to measure the impact of Christ’s gift on your life, what would be the size of your measure – a teaspoon, a coffee cup, a large swimming pool, an ocean, or the limitless universe? I believe all of us who pause to consider our sin and our salvation, would measure it as the ever-expanding universe, increasingly filled with God’s eternal blessings. Remember how Paul measured it in Ephesians 3:14-19. Wide, long, high and deep is the Father’s love! Then remember how Paul wrote of doing good works in Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Saved by grace, are you eager to graciously extend your life back to God?
    As God’s overflowing measure of love has saved us, what is the “Good Works Life” he has prepared for you? Paul directs you to respond to your limitless salvation with the life-changing gifts our Lord has granted us. Paul wrote of this in depth in 1 Corinthians 12:1-12, and he lists in other epistles the various Spiritual gifts we are given to use for the body of Christ.
    There are many teachings in the church about using your gifts. As God has formed a wondrous, complex and ever-growing universe, his church is to model this growth. It is said if the universe were not expanding at exactly the rate it is, it would stop and collapse on itself. The church is the same. Churches that stop growing in ministry, stagnate and collapse.
    That’s why God created many people to come to his church. He has gifted us to do our part to fulfill the church’s expansive mission to go and make disciples until Jesus comes again. In Christ, know you have one or more gifts. In Christ, know they are given to you to expand his church.
    Surely this is not an easy task. Using gifts for Jesus’ church will often put you outside your comfort zone. You will fail sometimes and make mistakes. But if God is saying, “Go.” Who are you to say, “No. I’m not ready. I’m not good enough. I’m not comfortable.” Moses tried that. Isaiah tried that. Jeremiah triad that. Mary was unsure. Peter felt that way. Paul even worked to destroy Jesus’ church. But the Holy Spirit transformed and empowered each person. God miraculously called each person into his holy presence to do a holy work for him. How could they refuse the sovereign God? How can you?
 
Prayer: Point to me the way you want me to serve your church, Lord. I am not ready. But I am willing. In the Spirit’s power, move me to your holy will. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.