Sitting night after night at the Edinburgh Convention, I was deeply aware of listening to a preacher who knew his business. Plain, simple, straightforward unfolding of the Word with application that was driven home by his choice of expressions and the work of the Holy Spirit. Like all the others there, we were listening to a gifted preacher.
After the preaching, I took time to browse some of the stalls where different Christian organisations had set up displays of the varied work they were involved in. It made me realise that God pours out a variety of gifts on individuals in order to accomplish His work in the world. The phrase that springs to mind is “having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them...” (Romans 12:6). Just as in the natural realm we speak of someone being a gifted musician or a gifted artist so, when it comes to God’s work, He uses people whom He has gifted in different ways. What a boring place this world and the church would be if we were all gifted in the same way.
As far as Christ’s church is concerned, God seems to have provided a torrent flow of gifts distributed throughout the body of Christ. “For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not have all the same function, so we, though we are many, are one body in Christ and individually members of one another” (Rom 12:4, 5).
Paul was aware of being a gifted apostle (Rom 12:3)
He wanted to visit Rome to share His spiritual gift (Rom 1:11)
He gives a comprehensive but not exhaustive list here (Rom 12:6-8)
He spells out why they are important (Rom 12:6)
HE MAKES A GENERAL ASSUMPTION ABOUT GIFTS.
“Having gifts...” (v6). Peter was of the same opinion when he wrote, “each has received a gift” (1 Peter 4:10). The church of Christ is replete with gifts. There are no useless organs in Christ’s body. No one can claim to be a mere appendix needing to be extracted.
In nature only the few are gifted in Christ all are. This should make us ask, “Have I been neglecting the gift I have within me?”
HE OUTLINES A RICH DIVERSITY OF GIFTS.
The gifts are rich in variation. Our gifts are not the same because our assignments in Christ’s work are not the same. Note how he speaks of this as “not the same function” and expands the illustration further when he comes to write another of his letters using the image of the anatomical functions of the human body (1 Cor 12:14-26). Each organ has a specific job to do in the human body. It would be quite grotesque if we were composed of just one big ear or eye or hand. That would be a monstrosity not a body, and even less a person.
In Christian ministry we do not all possess the same gift and certainly not every gift. We should be concerned to discern only what God has for us and not how He has gifted others. If you can’t play the church organ, don’t envy the person who can; they might not be much good trying their hand at what you do so well.
HE EMPHASISES THAT GIFTS ARE TOTALLY UNDESERVED.
The gifts in Christ’s body are “according to grace” (Rom 12:6). They live up to their name as being utterly undeserved. For what is God’s grace but His unearned favour bestowed upon us? Gifts we choose for ourselves are not grace-gifts. Only He who gives has the right to bestow them on us.
They are not evidence of a deeper spirituality and faith than others (Rom 12:3)
They are not just for the spiritually elite
They are not to be paraded as if they were badges of honour
HE POINTS TO THEIR PRACTICAL USEFULNESS.
Unless you are talking about the chocolate biscuit someone throws across to your desk at the office coffee break, no one has ever seen a flying penguin. The law of atrophy has taken its toll on our waddling, Antarctic friends. And it is the same with any gifts God has given to us. If we refuse to use it, we will end up losing it. Don’t become a spiritual penguin! “Let us use them” (Rom 12:6). They are to be exercised with genuine love for the whole body of individual members. But that can only be done through being aware of your own particular gift and the value that others are also making to the upbuilding of the Body of Christ, the Church. It is love, the greatest gift of all (1 Cor 13:13) that allows us to keep our specific gifting in true perspective.
John Wesley in his journal contains a sad entry about a group of Christians he had to discipline severely. “They were led to value the gifts more than God’s grace that bestowed them. I could not convince them that a grain of humble love was worth more than all their gifts put together”.
UNTAPPED RESOURCES AND UNDERUSED POTENTIAL
The NT has at least three generally recognised lists of spiritual gifts just waiting to be taken up by individuals as potential areas where they could make a contribution to the whole body of Christ. They are well worth reading over and thinking about.
1 Peter 4:7-11
1 Corinthians 12:4-11
Romans 12:3-8
The lists overlap and are certainly not exhaustive, but surely there is an area where you can see yourself playing a part for the good of all? Or maybe, you know someone and one of these areas fits them like a glove. Have you ever mentioned it to them and encouraged them to exercise a role you can see they are quite obviously fitted for?
“There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit gives them.
There are different ways of serving, but the same Lord is served.
There are different abilities to perform service, but the same God gives ability to all for their particular service.
The Spirit’s presence is shown in some way in each person for the good of all” (1 Corinthians 12:4-7 GNB).
LOCATING YOUR GIFT/S
1 Put out of your mind any natural or acquired talents, skills or abilities you have.
2 Ask God to show you.
3 Don’t be surprised if it ties in with what you already possess naturally.
4 Keep alert to His prompting in a sermon, a conversation, in your Bible reading
5 Remember God the giver often uses human instruments to highlight your given gift
6 Look for an initial opportunity to exercise your gift
7 Use it and watch how things develop as a way of confirmation
8 Serve others with your gift
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