As we continue to think about the blueprints for building the church as the Apostle Paul has laid out for us here in Ephesians 4—I want you to notice sort of a transition on emphasis in verse 7. I believe we can say that Paul’s teaching is going to shift from the general more so to the specific, from the corporate to the individual. Everything he says will still be applicable to the whole church…yet at the same time there is going to be a more personal emphasis added.

For example: It is by God’s grace through faith (Eph. 2:8) that each of us are called into the church—and it is equally true that by the same grace we are equipped to live individually in a manner worthy of our call into the fellowship. It is also true—the grace we receive from God is unearned and unmerited as well. Yet—He gave it to us.

Therefore—since we can receive God’s grace by faith…we should be responsible to act upon it in any and every way that honor’s Christ. Individually. Let’s consider this question today, “How does receiving grace affect my personal life?”

1. Grace makes salvation possible.

Paul makes it very clear in 2:8 that “it is by grace that you have been saved.” This shouldn’t be hard to understand—but many stumble on this fact. Perhaps it would be helpful if we examined what the word grace means. Often times we give a simple definition for grace by saying…grace is— God’s unmerited favor. This is true.

But where does that definition come from in Scripture? The word grace can have different meanings in Scripture based upon the context in which it is used. But—its most significant use is to describe undeserved favor granted by a superior to an inferior. By way of example from the OT we see grace/favor expressed by Potiphar to Joseph in Gen. 39:4 and Joseph to his brothers in Gen. 47:25.  Another example would be—by Boaz to Ruth in Ruth 2:10.

In the NT we understand grace as the means that makes salvation possible (Eph. 2:4-9). In Acts 15:11 Peter says, “We believe that it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ that we are saved.” When we think about the fact that we have rebelled against God’s law and the right thing for Him to do would be to condemn us all to an eternal hell. And then—you discover that He was willing to send His Son (who was without sin 2 Cor. 5:21) to bear the wrath of God’s anger against sin for us…that’s grace.

Mankind is the inferior—receiving undeserved favor from God the superior. This is how grace makes salvation possible. All of us who have received this amazing grace from God through faith are being built into one fellowship of believers…the church. Have you experienced the grace of God?

2. Grace stimulates spiritual growth.

The word grace here in verse 7 takes on a some what of a different meaning than salvation. Think about it like this—no more than we deserved to be saved do we deserve to serve God. But—by His grace…we have been appointed to do so. The intent of verse 7 is to stimulate our thinking as to what Christ wants to do in us individually.

Notice what Paul is telling us here in this verse. To each one of us…this means individually. As individuals God has done something in our lives. What is that something? He has given us grace. First of all the grace-gift of salvation…and then the ability through grace to function in the church. Therefore—even though we are one of many in the church…Christ has a role for each of us individually to fill.

What is our role? This is what Paul talks about at the end of verse 7 when he says—as Christ apportioned it. Our role—or our gift will be what Christ has determined for us to do. I Peter 4:10 says, “Each one (of us) should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.”

Now that we know through the grace of God we have each been given an assignment in the church…we need to be growing in our faith in order to be all that Christ wants us to be. You might be thinking—“I don’t know what my spiritual gift is?” That very thought should stimulate a desire in your heart to grow in the grace you have received and seek the answer.     

Let me suggest a simple process that will help you  discover your spiritual gift 1) pray about it (James 1:5), 2) prepare for it (2 Pet. 3:18), 3) practice it (James 1:22). What have you learned this week about Christ that will help you serve Him better?

3. Grace equips us for service.

God has chosen the church to be His physical representative here on earth. By grace through His Spirit He is at work in each one of us to fulfill His plans and His purposes. What a privilege it is to serve Him. But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. The Greek word translated here in verse 7 as apportioned is translated as whole measure in verse 13.

Jesus has measured out the whole church and given to each person the full amount of His grace that is necessary for them to be pleasing in His sight. All that is required from us is obedience. In other words—becoming actively involved in His service by exercising the power of His grace we have received.

I believe this is why Paul could say in Phil. 4:13—we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. That strength/power is the result of His grace that He has apportioned to each one of us individually. God never calls us to something He will not equip us to do. So—what does verse 7 reveal to us that helps explain the larger context of verses 1-16 here in chapter 4 of Ephesians?

The Church has many members and they are all uniquely fashioned or put together by the Head, Jesus Christ. No two members are exactly alike, no two members have the same portion of a gift—therefore when a member is not using their gift to the full measure in harmony with everyone else as Christ has apportioned it…the work of the church suffers.

God’s blueprint for building the church calls for people to experience His saving grace one person at a time. Have you experienced the grace of God personally?

God’s blueprint for building the church stimulates His people to discover their spiritual gift by growing in grace and knowledge. Do you know what your spiritual gift is? If not—are you trying to discover what it is?

God’s blueprint for building the church requires everyone to be actively involved. How are you personally serving the Lord today?