Ephesians 4:7-10 "But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. (8) Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (9) (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? (10) He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)"
"He led captivity captive." We were held in the clutches of sin and
could not free ourselves. Let me quote the Apostle Paul in the Roman letter.
"For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the
law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. But now we are
delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should
serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter." (Romans
7:5-6) We saw in Ephesians 2, those beautiful words "But
God..." Notice in Romans 7:6, "But now..." When we put
those two together, we can see and know, "But now ... God" has
delivered us from the clutches of sin and through the work of Jesus Christ on
the cross has now in captivity that which held us captive. It's much
better than the old westerns when the Cavalry came rushing in to rescue those
being held captive. Jesus defeated sin when He died on the cross, was buried,
and then raised from the dead.
"But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the
gift of Christ." Again we saw in Ephesians 2:4-6, "But God, who
is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, (5)
Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by
grace ye are saved;) (6) And hath raised us up together, and made
us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus" We have been made free
"accordding to the measure of the gift of Christ." How large and how
powerful is that gift? Paul encouraged us in chapter 3 to strive to know
"what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know
the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all
the fulness of God." (Ephesians 3:18-19) I submit to each of us that the
gift of God in Christ Jesus is immeasurable. But we can know this for certain:
"My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by
Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19) He saved us and He has given us gifts
whereby we are able to better serve Him each day. We will attempt to look more
at those gifts on Monday. God bless you each one!
1 Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!
Earth and heaven in chorus say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia!
2 Love's redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids him rise, Alleluia!
Christ has opened paradise, Alleluia!