But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Ephesians 4:7
I recall an expression from the late Gordon Fairweather, a New Brunswick politician who went on to head the Canadian Human Rights Commission, and who was an official observer of elections in Zimbabwe, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Malaysia. During one of those elections, he met with several opposition groups, including some left-wing guerrillas in their jungle retreat. One of his challenges was to determine which members of the group to speak with. As he was telling us about the encounter, Fairweather noted that all members of the group were supposed to be equal. He added with a grin, ‘Fortunately some of them were more equal than the others’. When it comes to spiritual things, God has made all Christians equal. But in our equality, He has given to us differences in abilities, capabilities, and exercise.
It is good to know that the preacher or the elder or the missionary is no higher in God’s sight than the most humble saint in God’s Assembly. But it would be foolish for us to take this to mean that every one of us should perform the work of a preacher, an elder, or a missionary. And the same goes for any of the many roles that God has for those who serve Him among His people. Just as Mr. Fairweather could easily distinguish differences in abilities among rebel fighters, so differences in abilities ought to be evident among God’s people. These differences are described in our text as the measure of the gift of Christ. Some can preach well, but some cannot. Some can teach, guide, and encourage the Lord’s people, but some cannot. Some have the energy, vision, and desire to carry the Gospel to far regions, but some do not. And the same is true in whatever task or service that God has for us among His people. The measure of the gift of Christ differs in each of us. But our text declares that not one of us has been excluded.
Why does God raise up His servants and workers around us? Because of the invaluable service they provide. The same goes for those who provide the pastoral care and oversight of the Assembly. And it continues on to those who sweep the floors, shovel the walks, arrange the chairs, and who invite friends and relatives along to hear the Gospel. Perhaps even more important, it includes the prayer warriors whose efforts are never seen but whose impact is far beyond what we realize. If you don’t know what the Lord wants you to do for His people, start praying for them.
It was God’s grace that saved us. And it is God’s grace that gives us a gift to serve Him and His people. It is our grace to put that gift into action. -Jim MacIntosh