The Immeasurable Gift Of God

I have a 'hard saying' in mind this morning and I was taught long ago never to start any communication with a hard saying because the hearer is likely not to have any capacity to hear it. Communication should address the capacity of the hearer or you might as well be talking to yourself.

"I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ... Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil. Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers." - Ephesians 4:1-7, 25-29 KJV

'Neither give place to the Devil' is the hard saying.

Paul has spoken for three glorious chapters before he gets to chapter four and he talks about the gift(s) God has given. The measure of the gift of Christ is an immeasurable measure. It is a gift beyond calculable value.

All anger is not wrong. There is a righteous indignation but it seems that anger is often what leads to people marking off a territory to the accuser.

I like the advice given to the thief. Instead of stealing the thief is advised to work hard and give what he or she has worked for to others. Like wise grace words are the substitute for angry words. Grace must crowd out the place that was formerly given over to accusation.

As we all know anger isn't easily displaced.

"With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace... That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ... That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another... Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." - Ephesians 4:2-3, 14-15, 22-25, 29-32 KJV

Worship, Truth and Fellowship reveal the immeasurable gift of God and that gift displaces anger and accusation. God has not made us to be disappointed people. He has made us to be rich in grace and mercy.

These footholds freeze us in a mindset and no one wants that.

God please help us. We are not going to get introspective about our lives. Secure for us a place of worship for this season of life. Give us a place where truth is flowing and fellowship is real. We pray that also for the people that we love that don't seem to have freedom. Let all bitterness, clamour and evil speaking be far from us and them. We want to live in the measure of the immeasurable gift. We want that to fill up and displace any footholds. Thank You God. We want hearts that are so full of truth that accusation can find no place to land and settle in. Thank You God. Your gifts have no limit. Your love is endless. Your mercy overflows. Thank You God.

--