“ACCORDING TO THE MEASURE OF THE GIFT OF CHRIST”

MEMORY VERSE: But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Ephesians 4:7

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Proverbs 25

I will like to share something a brother sent to me. “If you leave a man with a vision and follow a man with a television you will soon be watching a man with a vision on your man's television.” Dear single sister, don’t marry a man because of what you can see now. Don’t marry a man because of his bank balance or what he owns today. Do you know the source of his wealth? Remember, wealth gotten by vanity or by fraud will dwindle away (Proverbs 13:11). Even if you know the source of his wealth, do you know tomorrow? According to Proverbs 23:5, riches do develop wings and fly away. If you marry a brother because of the big car he drives today or because of his wealth, and his wealth disappears what will you do? The fact that a brother is struggling today does not mean he will struggle forever especially if he is a genuine child of God. Let God guide you when it comes to the choice of who to marry and also listen to godly counsels. It will be well with you.

Ephesians 4:7 says, “But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.” Firstly, every one of us, Christians, is in receipt of grace (God’s unmerited favour). I have been given God’s grace, and you have been given God’s grace. This grace is defined as “the gracious influences of the Holy Spirit.” Secondly, this grace is given to every one of us according to the measure of the gift of Christ. In other words, we were not given equal amount of grace. Or, some were given more grace than the others. The grace given to me is different from the grace that was given to you. The level of grace i carry is different from the level of grace you carry. Who decides the level of grace each man receives? Jesus Christ. This decision was made even before the world began. 2 Timothy 1:9 says, “Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.” We were given this grace in a measure suited to His good purposes for us and for the body of Christ.

Although we were all given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ, none of us knows the amount of grace we received from Christ. I don’t know the amount of grace i received, you also don’t know the amount of grace you received. As such, you and i must never compare ourselves to anyone. The fellow you are comparing yourself with may carry a lesser grace than you. Maybe you have the grace to release twenty gospel albums and you are comparing yourself with someone who has the grace for only three albums. This is also why you must run your Christian race individually. This is why you must never serve God the way your friends are serving God or the way people around you are serving God. This is why you must never give to God the way your friends are giving to God. The grace we carry varies. As such, always strive to give your best to God. Recently, a brother stepped out and began to witness for Jesus. In 24 hours, he led two souls to Christ. Encouraged with the results, he began to witness to more people. Had this brother decided to keep quiet like most do, he would not have discovered that he was called to be an evangelist.

PRAYER: Father, please help me to maximize Your grace upon my life.

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world