Today as I record this podcast episode, it’s about a week and half after Christmas day. Like most families, we gathered on Christmas in our living room to exchange gifts with one another. It’s always a blessing to show our love for one another by selecting an gift that we think will be of value for our families. But imagine with me, the sadness my family would have experienced if I refused to open their gifts. Imagine their disappointment at my lack of interest in something that they believed would be useful to me.
1 Peter 4:10 tells us that God has given us spiritual gifts to be used to bless others. “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”
Imagine the sadness in the heart of God when you and I fail to recognize and use the gifts he has given us.
How amazing is it that God wants to use our lives for his glory? And he has given us spiritual gifts to enable that to happen. I believe God has designed us with intentionality, with forethought, and with purpose.
We learn more in Romans 12:5-8 - “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.
What is are spiritual gifts? A Spiritual gift is a God-given capacity to serve the Lord
We could use the word ability – a God-given ability, but I believe capacity is better because it means you have the potential ability. God has given you certain spiritual gifts. There is a work for you to do. We think, “Well, someone will do it.” No, there is a work for you to do. This is God-given and God-ordained. You have spiritual power to do a spiritual task.
A spiritual gift is not a natural talent. Spiritual gifts is God enabling us to do something that we could not do without his power in our lives.
No Christian has all the gifts, but every Christian has some spiritual gifts.
God distributes spiritual gifts as he determines. Spiritual gifts are not given on the basis of merit, but because God chooses to give them.
1 Corinthians 12:11 – “All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.”
How do we recognize the gifts of the Spirit that are given to us?
I believe the evidence of a surrendered life is an availability to serve the Lord
Making ourselves available to serve God is our response to his grace and mercy. What else could we give God after all He has given to us? Nothing. We must give ourselves to Him. We willingly give ourselves. We willingly make ourselves available. We want to help. We want to be used by God. We want to serve.
Today’s Challenge: Serve where you are. Use what God has given you. Walk through the doors he opens. Take steps of faith. It’s not about your ability. You can grow in ability. It’s more about his ability.
