Devotions this week are based on Week 6 How Would You Answer (WATCH HERE)
Ephesians 4:1-8 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. 8 This is why it says:
“When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.”
Live a life worthy of the calling we have received. Paul urges humility, gentleness, patience, and love. He calls believers to make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Then he reminds them why unity matters: there is one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of all.
But unity does not mean sameness. Right after Paul emphasizes the oneness of the Church, he says, “But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.” That is a beautiful balance. The Church is one body, but each member receives grace uniquely from Christ. The ascended Jesus gives gifts to His people, and He gives them with wisdom, intention, and purpose.
Your gift is given to you, but it is not given only for you. That may be one of the most important lessons in Ephesians 4. Christ gives His gifts uniquely and communally. They are uniquely apportioned to each believer, but communally intended for the good of the whole body.
Imagine a family sitting down for a meal where each person brings one part. One brings the bread. One brings the meat. One brings the vegetables. One brings dessert. One sets the table. One welcomes the guests. If each person keeps their contribution to themselves, the meal never becomes a feast. But when each gift is offered, everyone is nourished. The Church works in a similar way. Christ gives grace to each member so that the whole body is strengthened.
This is important because many people underestimate what Christ has given them. Some think, “I do not preach, sing, lead, or teach, so maybe I do not have much to offer.” But Paul says grace has been given to each one. Not just leaders. Not just public servants. Not just people with visible roles. Each one.
Romans 12 says we have different gifts according to the grace given to us. Some serve. Some teach. Some encourage. Some give. Some lead. Some show mercy. 1 Peter 4 says, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace.” That means your gift is a stewardship. It is grace entrusted to you for the blessing of others.
On some days, your gift may look ordinary. It may look like listening carefully to someone who is hurting. It may look like praying faithfully for your church. It may look like teaching a child, preparing a meal, sending an encouraging text, opening your home, giving generously, or showing up when others are tired. But ordinary does not mean insignificant. In the hands of the ascended Christ, ordinary faithfulness becomes part of how He builds His Church.
Today, do not ask only, “What do I have?” Ask, “What has Christ entrusted to me for the good of others?” You are not giftless. You are not useless. You are not merely taking up space in the body. Grace has been given to each one, and that includes you.
Reflect: What grace or gift has Christ uniquely entrusted to you? How can you use that gift this week for the good of the body?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for giving grace to each member of Your Church. Help me recognize what You have entrusted to me and use it with humility and love. Teach me to offer my gifts for the good of others and the building up of Your body. Amen.