Scripture: Romans 12:4-8 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
Devotional: As we saw yesterday, Jesus gave a warning to the churches who were allowing people to live lives of compromise. As believers, we are called to help people see the areas where they are not living the way that God has called us to live. However, we first need to reflect on our own lives and see if we are living the way that God has called us to live. And in order to do that, we also need to understand how God has called us to live.
One of the first things that we need to understand is that God has created us and gifted us each uniquely. When we accept Jesus as our Savior, we are given specific spiritual gifts to use in this life. In our passage for today, the Apostle Paul reminds us that we are a member of the body of Christ. We are unique in which part we are. We have our own giftings that are used to glorify the Lord and to make His name known throughout the earth.
Before you start arguing that you do not have any giftings, that is a lie from the enemy. Scripture tells us that we each have been gifted. There are many different gifts including administration, discernment, evangelism, exhortation, faith, giving, hospitality, serving, prophecy, and many more. If you do not know your spiritual gifts, I encourage you to find out what they are. As members of the body of Christ, we are to use our gifts to advance the Kingdom of God and to bring Him glory.
The Apostle Peter in 1 Peter 4:10 encourages us to use them when he says, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” By the grace of God, we have been given gifts that we get to use for Him. If we are to live a life that He has commanded us to live, shouldn’t we start by pressing into the areas that He has gifted us in and made us passionate about? Start serving as a member of the body of Christ. You will see Him at work in how He uses your gifts when you offer them up to Him.
Reflect:
- Which of spiritual gifts do you find most fascinating? Which do you find most confusing?
- In what ways do you currently use your gifts for the body of Christ? In what ways could you use them in a greater capacity?
- If you have not ever taken the spiritual gifts assessment, you can take it here. The link is at the top of the page: https://sunnybrookchurch.org/serve--in-the-church/