The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him in Ephesians 4:7,
"To each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it."
Here we read that Jesus Christ himself dispenses his grace by gifting us all with abilities to carry out the assigned tasks he intends us to accomplish in other people's lives. In this context Paul refers to those the Lord provides us who build us up in the faith. The Lord himself (as opposed to those who self-appoint themselves) "gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ my be built up..." 4:11.
The Lord has not left us alone in the church. He is actively involved in equipping us to do those things he wants done. A big part of that is the care and feeding of his sheep. He actively engages us all in the process. While most of us may not be apostles or prophets, or even evangelists, pastors or teachers, we nevertheless are equipped by him for some purpose to build others up around us. Paul speaks of this in his first letter to the church in Corinth were he says, "Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good." 1 Corinthians 12:7. There he speaks of other giftings he provides different ones in the church for the building up of others. Peter also points to this when he says, "Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms." 1 Peter 4:10.
I find it fascinating how the Lord takes care of his people by building up ones that then turn and build others up.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd love to hear from you!
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
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