Ephesians 4:7 But to every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. I. CHRISTIANS ARE RECIPIENTS OF GRACE. 1. Without grace we can do nothing. All our attainments will be proportionate to the amount and kind of grace we receive. We cannot fulfill our vocation nor realize the grand unity of the Church by unaided human efforts. 2. But grace is vouchsafed to Christians. It is the peculiar privilege of the New Testament dispensation that it brings the energy of grace as well as the light of truth. II. CHRISTIAN GRACE IS THE GIFT OF CHRIST. 1. Grace must be a gift. It would cease to be grace if we could create, earn, or deserve it. All the blessings of the gospel are free gifts, as are also our natural endowments. 2. Christian grace comes direct from Christ. His sacrifice won it. His ascension enables him to dispense it (vers. 8-10). III. THIS GRACE IS GIVEN TO ALL CHRISTIANS. It is not reserved for high ecclesiastical officials and select saints. We are no Christians if we have it not. The Church is the body of all Christians, and it is one because 'the same grace flows through the whole brotherhood. The gospel is broad and democratic. IV. THIS GRACE IS DISPENSED TO EACH INDIVIDUAL SEVERALLY. Each one receives the gift. We cannot be blessed by Divine grace in crowds and masses. The Church can only be endowed with grace when her private members are personally blessed. We do not receive grace by becoming part of the grand Catholic Church. But we realize the unity of the Church when we have been first blessed with Christ's grace in our own souls. V. THIS GRACE IS MEASURED OUT IN VARYING PROPORTIONS. In Christ there was grace without measure. In us it is measured. Christ has a right to measure it, because it is a gift which he can withhold or bestow as he pleases. Yet if it is measured there is no stint, for if Christ has first given us himself, we may be sure that he will never keep back any needful lower blessings. The measure of the grace is determined by our spiritual capacity, our faith, our need, our special mission. - W.F.A. Parallel Verses KJV: But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.WEB: But to each one of us was the grace given according to the measure of the gift of Christ. |
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