Wednesday – Ephesians 4:7-10 – Always Already There
By Pastor Paul Georgulis
“7 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.” 9 (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? 10 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)” – Ephesians 4:7-10 (New International Version)
In yesterday’s devotion on Ephesians 4:3-6, we discussed the unity of the Body of Christ. In today’s passage, Paul switches his focus to the grace and gifts that Jesus has given to us. While this grace and these gifts are needed for many things, I believe Paul could be continuing his thought by saying that we will need God’s grace in order to live in unity with one another.
We see that these gifts are given not according to our worth, our need, or anything we have done, but according to what Jesus saw fit to give us. This means that we will all have different gifts, or different combinations of gifts but that Jesus knew what each of us would need to live out the calling that He has for our lives.
We also see in this passage that Jesus left heaven to descend to earth – to live among us, and to sacrifice Himself for us – and that he then left the earth to ascend higher than all the heavens so that He could fill the whole universe (verses 9-10). This tells us that we will never be in a place that Jesus has not filled with His presence.
So, as you go throughout life and face situations in which you feel that God is not there, rest assured knowing that He absolutely is there, and He always has been.
Prayer:
Father, we thank you for the grace you so freely give us and for the gifts that you bestow upon us to help us to love and serve others. Thank you that you are always already present in our lives.
In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen!
