Ephesians 4:7

"Yet grace (God's unmerited favor) was given to each of us individually [not indiscriminately, but in different ways] in proportion to the measure of Christ's [rich and bounteous] gift." Ephesians 4:7

Now, we must be careful before we jump into this verse, because "yet" is a transitional word, meaning: whatever we've been talking about (in this case, the unity and oneness of the body (you and I)), it is for that thought, that we consider what is now about to be said. So, in light of our "unity" or oneness as a church, Paul now says that God's favor (which we never really deserve), or, the spiritual gifts God gives... He does not give as one big blessing. He doesn't blanket the whole body with gifts 1,2, and 3, but each one of us is given our own blessing, from an eternity of options, of rich and bounteous gifts.

Now, to be one with each other and still be unique at the same time reveals the amazing love of a loving God. So important is the whole church body to work as one, yet so is the value to God for the individual. It takes the work of the Holy Spirit within us to walk in both of these truths at the same time, but in the spirit it is very achievable. In I Corinthians 12:12, Paul gives a little clearer description of this truth.

"For just as the body is a unity and yet has many parts, and all the parts, though many, form [only] one body, so it is with Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One)."

The church was never designed to be ordered along the lines of the world's organizational principles. It was never designed to be a management outfit. It was never designed to follow business philosophy. It was never designed to be a selling agency in which people are motivated by Madison Avenue promotion, gimmicks, and moneymaking schemes. Unfortunately, it has become just that. Thank God there are still many churches out there to grow first with... Growing in The Love Of God, and For One Another. That is the growth more important to God. This kind of growth is what will draw more people into the body. We will come back to this issue later, in verse 16.

Let's pick up with Ephesians verse 4:8-9 next time.

I love you.