“But to each one of us, grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.” Eph 4:7  NASU

It is unarguable that we are saved by grace. To that extent, forgiveness was offered to everyone as a gift of God. He sent Jesus to die for the whole world, not just the few that accepted. But to those that accepted that grace and became a part of God’s elect in Christ, more grace was given.

According to our verse for today that grace was given according to a measure. It was Christ’s to give, and he did as he chose. Whether we see that gift as a direct gift of Jesus or his gift through the Holy Spirit makes no real difference in the final analysis. The kingdom of Christ, his church or his body, whichever term you use, has many members and many tasks. Every member of the kingdom has a task to accomplish, and whatever that task is, Jesus has given him or her the grace to do it.

Sometimes we hear so much talk about miraculous gifts that we think all gifts of grace are miraculous. That is not the case at all. In truth, few of the gifts are of the miraculous type. Evidence would show that as time passed the number of miraculous gifts declined. Emphasis would be placed on the gifts that were needed to cause the growth of the kingdom.

In the first Corinthian letter, Paul lists the miraculous gifts but then says an interesting thing about gifts. Look, “ But earnestly desire the greater gifts. And I show you a still more excellent way. (12:31) NASU

Like the Corinthians, believers today think the greatest gifts are the miraculous ones. Paul says not. There are greater ones. He mentions some of them in Romans 12:6-8 “Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith;  if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching;  or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.”  NASU

The next few verses in Ephesians chapter 4 will also list some of these important gifts that come through the grace of Christ. The secret is to discover which of all the wonderful gifts Christ gives is ours. Rather than wish we had a different gift we must use the one he gives us because it is a gift of grace.