The word for this week is "measure". We'll be looking at these three Scriptures: Ephesians 4:7, Ephesians 4:13 and Ephesians 4:16.
- Ephesians 4:7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
- Ephesians 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
- Ephesians 4:16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplies, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part , makes increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
34 For since He Whom God has sent speaks the words of God [proclaims God’s own message], God does not give Him His Spirit sparingly or by measure, but boundless is the gift God makes of His Spirit!
We are also each only responsible for own individual part of the Body, as we see in Ephesians 4:16. When we each do our part, every situation is covered and every need met! Then we see in Ephesians 4:13 that our aim, our goal, our target, should be to grow up spiritually, IN HIM! HE is our standard, and no person has ever reached that measure yet! BUT, we HAVE come so much farther than we were when we started! With HIM as our Standard, we won't be so quick to compare ourselves with others! Look at 2 Corinthians 10:12:
12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
We can have confidence in HIM that we have everything we need to become all that He has planned for us to become! HE who BEGAN that good work in us by His Spirit (Philippians 1:6), will continue to work that work, perfecting (maturing) us as we stretch ourselves to meet HIS standard! That certainly takes the pressure off of ME! Here is Hillsong with "To Be Like You":
Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!
