Gifted

As a new Christian I knew nothing about rating sins or prejudice. My dad sometimes criticized those who were lazy and my mother was a bit leery of ‘foreigners’ but nothing serious. It was a surprise when the local church held it against me because I was divorced. Little did they realize how that event was part of God’s way to bring me to the foot of the Cross.

While I didn’t fight that or even resent it, even thought it was ‘the Christian way’ it later shocked me to be accepted and welcomed by others who knew nothing about my past life. At the same time, it took years to get used to the idea that God accepted me, that Jesus died for me while I was still a sinner, and that all fall short. We have no business treating others on some sort of a sin scale.

The first were missionaries I’d financially supported. We met them and they freely offered me their kindness and support. However, I experienced the old habits of many believers who rated people, and found it an easy habit to fall into. It seemed that because God exposed my sin and urged an obedient life, I was supposed to do the same, yet doing it like God does it was beyond my ability. His gift of using all things to change lives was not how I operated. 

But He worked to change that too, and to teach me how to live in the power and grace of the Holy Spirit. This is an amazing gift from God. It comes through confession and repentance, but also by learning how to walk as Jesus walked…

Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:38)
For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you. . . (Romans 1:11)
For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. (Romans 11:29)
Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. (Romans 12:6–8)
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: (1 Peter 4:10)

Illustrations are helpful, like this one. In the 1992 Olympics, the British runner Derek Redmon tore a ligament midway through his race. The rest of the runners went on to finish, but he was  on the ground writhing in pain with his hopes and dreams shattered beside him. He first tried to run again, but after a few short strides, his legs buckled and he slowed to a walk. I know what it feels like to be down and out, without hope.

But then another man appeared on the track. Security guards tried to stop him, but he pressed on and put his arm around Derek’s shoulder, coaxing him as the crowd cheered. The two  crossed the finish line together. The man was Derek’s father.

My Father does it too, with His arm around me, with words of encouragement, with the example of others. He has gifted me with people from various walks of life who run the same race and seem to know just what I need. One was an elderly woman, a cheerleader. One is a quilting neighbor that turns gloom into sunshine, One more who encourages me with exceptional understanding. Another is a teenage boy who treats me like his very best friend. An hour with these gifted-by-God people and I am energized to keep going. 

PRAY: I thank You Jesus for giving me people who are gifted by You to show Your love and acceptance. They have been godly examples of what You are like and deepen my desire to be more like You. While that Olympic runner may not have realized it, because he relied on the help of his father, he set an example for those in the Christian race of life to do the same. The crowd may not see that I am a winner, but in the power of the Holy Spirit, You gifted me with whatever I need to do all that You have given me to do to finish my race. Thank You!

God’s gifts to us…

When Christians are at odds about what is most important, some of the conflict could be rooted in their spiritual gifts. Those who study the gifts teach that this passage in Romans is about motivations:

Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. (Romans 12:6–8)

Years of observation and study say a Christian has all seven, but one or two will dominate and determine their focus in ministry, and should be appropriate to other situations. A brief description puts it this way:

Prophesy (perceiver of God’s will) - desires to be centered on spiritual principles.
Server - desires doing practical things for others.
Teacher - information gatherer and wants it shared.
Exhorter - desires to know and live the truth, looking forward.
Giver - provides specific needs, a channel for God’s resources.
Leader (Administrator or visionary) - desires organization, moving forward, orderly.
Compassion - desires right relationships, hurts healed, people to be comforted.

Gift combinations produce interesting results. For instance, a perceiver/teacher will be more black and white than a compassion/teacher. An encourager also gifted in leadership with function differently than an encourager/server.

As I read the devotional book for this year, I finally realized that the author does not have the same gifts I do, and I’ve tended to challenge some of the entries. In my thinking, if someone is upset or filled with anxiety, it is due to an error in thinking and not being centered on what God says. Instead of comfort, or to be comforted, they need to better understand the will of God.

Today’s reading focuses on this verse: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort.” (2 Corinthians 1:3) Of course this is true, yet how God treats me depends on what is making me uncomfortable. If I want my way and am resisting Him, He is not going to cheer me up by giving an okay to that resistance. Sometimes I face strong discipline. At the same time, I know the Lord is the only one who can give me a hug and a rebuke at the same time.

The gifts He gives all require faith in their use. If I am walking in the flesh, I can be a black and white know-it-all. If an encourager is walking in the flesh, they come across as a used car salesman (apologies for the stereotype). A comforter can totally miss the mark if I need correction. This is why God gave this mixture of gifts. The Body of Christ needs all seven, used in wisdom and timing. If an elderly person slips and knocks over a cup of coffee, they need a different word than if the spill was made by a young person who was showing off and careless.

Last week, my daughter asked me an interesting question. “Everyone has a main goal in life. What is yours?” We’d been talking about paying bills and having no debt, so I was not sure what she expected, but this came out: “I want to be content in all of life, no matter the circumstances.” I may have inserted “trusting God” in there, can’t remember. However, just saying it and remembering what I said, has helped me this week as we moved to a different house and face the formidable task of finding a place for what is needed and disposing of the rest. Physical fatigue is one thing, but being stressed and discontent takes a far greater toll. Attitude is more important then gifts!

PRAY: Lord Jesus, I am grateful that You are the God of all comfort and the God of everything else that is needed. You sent others with gifts that minister to me and give me opportunities to serve others with my gifts. Most of all, You are strong, even perfect in all of them, and are able to be all that I need when I need it. Jesus, You are God who is enough!

Using our spiritual gifts…

Discovering spiritual gifts can happen in ordinary situations. During a church meal, someone spilled their dessert. One person thought it had been too close to the edge of the table. Another ran to get more dessert. A third told someone to fetch a mop and a broom, while another hugged the person who spilled it saying, “It could have happened to anyone.” These and other reactions come from the focus of each heart, the motivation that drives much of what each person cares about.

Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. (Romans 12:6–8)

Some gifts are given for the need of the moment and to build up the church, but the above passage describes motivations that we are born with and that are activated to serve the Lord when we are saved. All of them are present but one or two dominate and affect how a person ministers their place in God’s family.

For instance, the gift of teaching refers to gathering and sharing information. It could be used in a classroom, or as a librarian, or a research assistant, or when a teen spills their dessert. The gift of serving shows up in many professions and is often in the person who says, “I just need to help people.” The prophetic gift is about knowing and sharing the will of God and learning when to pray instead of speaking.

As today’s reading says, when someone is saved, fruit-bearing begins, not by effort but spontaneous growth. All Christians are motivated by their spiritual gifts just as Jesus said:

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. (John 15:16)

In studying this topic, I’ve discovered that I don’t need to be too concerned about fruit-bearing. God ordained that I would and it would fit with who I am and what God gives me. As the reading says, this is the law of fruit-bearing. I can serve, show compassion when it is needed, and be an encourager, but gathering information is who I am. I cannot stop doing it or sharing it when questions are asked or other opportunities come. For me, this can be household tips, health matters, or other issues, but my focus is on who God is and what He says.

Motivational gifts can show up when I’m ‘tipped over’ and walking in the flesh. A leader can become a bossy tyrant. A compassion person can take on someone’s suffering to the point of stewing about it long after the suffering is resolved. A server can jump in and try to do more than is needed.

Another danger is wanting to spend time only with those I can serve or those that serve me. As a teacher, only teachable people might want to talk to me. I need time with those with the gift of encouragement because people with my gift mix tend to be easily convicted of sin. Without the positive attitude of exhorters, I feel useless. But forming a clique is not the way the Body of Christ is designed to operate. I need others and all those gift traits.

As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor… God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. (1 Corinthians 12:20–25)

PRAY: Jesus, You are the perfect example of fruit-bearing. You always did what the Spirit gave You to do in relation to the need before You. I do not always spill something, but when I ‘tip over’ You know whether I need a rebuke, instruction, encouragement, or a big hug. May I be more like You in using the gifts You gave me.

 

God’s gift of love includes other gifts . . .

Study of spiritual gifts has revealed three types. One is that God gives gifted people to equip the saints for the work of ministry (Ephesians 4:11).

Another is motivational gifts, or a built-in way of thinking. Each of us can have and use these motivations, but some will be more dominant than others. That is, a teacher will love gathering information and passing it on. This motivation is not confined to teaching; think a librarian or research assistant. These gifts are part of who we are and how we think.

Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. (Romans 12:6–8)

I’ve seen how these gifts show up in Spirit-filled Christians, yet they also can be seen in a negative way when a Christian is walking in the flesh. For instance, instead of encouraging growth and a forward look, a fleshy Christian comes across as a used-car sales person or a manipulator. A leader can be bossy instead of a visionary person who can delegate.

A third description focuses on gifts given to deal with the needs before us in a godly way.

Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way. (1 Corinthians 12:27–31)

The last line reveals that to use these gifts requires more and points to the love chapter, 1 Corinthians 13, yet this is true for all three categories. Without the love of God, our actions are selfish and sinful and do more harm than good. Today’s devotional says that abusing gifts means seeking prominence for ourselves rather than ministering to one another. They can function properly only in a spiritual person who displays not only the gift but the fruit of the Spirit.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. (Galatians 5:22–24)

The love chapter repeats this in these words:

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. (1 Corinthians 13:1–3)

In other words, love must be the motive and driving force behind everything we do. This is not the mushy love of films nor the love of chocolate nor even the love of family. It is the sacrificial love of John 3:16, a love that gives, is costly. What a shame that even the people of God can use some of love’s characteristics to manipulate and use people for personal gain. This reminds me of the woman who said, “I love to help people because it makes me feel so good.”

If love feels good, why then did Jesus sweat blood and pray, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done”? (Luke 22:42) This act of love shows me that using the gifts He gave me to obey the motivations He gives me will not always be comfortable or without cost.

PRAY: Lord, there are days when I want to pull away from praying, calling people, serving needs, and even writing these words for the world to see. Apart from loving obedience, what is the point? I gain nothing except an occasional glimpse of what You do with these sacrifices. Forgive me for selfishly wanting some glory. It all belongs to You for You alone are worthy. Enable me to remember always why loving You with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength is costly; it cost You Your life to love me.

PONDER: Thinking of how God loves me, and how His love changes lives, consider ways I can show His love to others whose lives are in dire need of a glimpse into the heart of God.