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Each one of us is born with natural gifts and talents which we employ to make our way in the world At the moment of the new birth each and every one of God’s children have imparted to them “spiritual gifts” which are provided to enable each to fulfil their unique role as a member of the Body of Christ.
The gifts and callings of God are “irrevocable” (Romans 11:29) and these spiritual gifts remain with each one of us throughout our lifetime, whether or not they are recognised or utilised.
The New Testament sets out four separate lists of spiritual gifts (Romans 12:6‑8, 1 Corinthians 12:7‑11, 1 Corinthians 12:27‑28, 1 Peter 4:10‑11)
These lists in no way limit the number of these gifts or the manner in which they are utilised. There are, in fact, at least as many different gifts as there are members of the Body. Some may be similar and may be called by the same name, but all are different. What may appear to be the "same" gift is actually being exercised in ways which are moulded by the recipient’s own personality and the training and equipping that they have experienced at the hand of their great Shepherd.
Regardless of what our calling may be, it is by the spiritual authority that accompanies the exercise of these gifts that enables God’s children to be actively involved in “building up” those members of the Body of Christ with whom they associate.
For example:
And so we could go on. As God’s people exercise the gifts with which he has entrusted them, be they great or seemingly small, they do so with the authority that accompanies those gifts.
[It is important to note that we should not see these gifts as belonging to the individual. They are given to the Body of Christ. God’s children are merely the custodians of the gifts with the sobering responsibility of exercising them to the greatest benefit of the Body.]
I am often reminded of the story of a man who, for most of his life, attended a church located, from memory, in the north of England. While being a respected member of the church, he was quiet and reserved and never held what might be termed a “prominent” position in the congregation. However, when he died the church was packed to overflowing with mourners. This came as quite a surprise to many there, but as the day wore on the true story of his life started to emerge.
Although not a wealthy man, he spent his life seeking out those who were experiencing financial difficulties, discreetly approaching them and offering them financial assistance on three conditions. Firstly, they were never to pay it back. Secondly, they were not to tell anyone what he had done and thirdly they were to do the same for someone else when they had the ability and the opportunity to do so. In this way he had, over many years, helped hundreds of people through times of financial stress.
This brother in Christ was exercising (in his unique way) the spiritual gift of “giving.” It was a burden that God had placed upon his heart to which he yielded himself and which he had allowed to develop over his lifetime.
As a consequence, it provided him with the authority and the power to confront and overcome the spiritual forces of fear and despair which were challenging the faith of those to whom he ministered.
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. (1 Corinthians 12:7, NIV)
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 4:10‑11, NIV)
The gifts and callings of God are “irrevocable” (Romans 11:29) and these spiritual gifts remain with each one of us throughout our lifetime, whether or not they are recognised or utilised.
The New Testament sets out four separate lists of spiritual gifts (Romans 12:6‑8, 1 Corinthians 12:7‑11, 1 Corinthians 12:27‑28, 1 Peter 4:10‑11)
These lists in no way limit the number of these gifts or the manner in which they are utilised. There are, in fact, at least as many different gifts as there are members of the Body. Some may be similar and may be called by the same name, but all are different. What may appear to be the "same" gift is actually being exercised in ways which are moulded by the recipient’s own personality and the training and equipping that they have experienced at the hand of their great Shepherd.
Regardless of what our calling may be, it is by the spiritual authority that accompanies the exercise of these gifts that enables God’s children to be actively involved in “building up” those members of the Body of Christ with whom they associate.
For example:
- the exercise of the gift of “encouragement” (Romans 12:8) enables them to communicate, by the power of the Holy Spirit, the strength and hope that is needed by those who are feeling the heat of the battle.
- Those who are endowed with the gift of "giving" (Romans 12:8) carry with them the authority and power, through what they do, to control and defeat the feelings of fear and panic that challenge the faith of so many of God’s children when they are confronted with financial and other difficulties.
- The gift of teaching (Romans 12:7) carries with it the authority to dispel the confusion, darkness and unbelief that permeate the very atmosphere in which we live (Ephesians 2:1‑3).
And so we could go on. As God’s people exercise the gifts with which he has entrusted them, be they great or seemingly small, they do so with the authority that accompanies those gifts.
[It is important to note that we should not see these gifts as belonging to the individual. They are given to the Body of Christ. God’s children are merely the custodians of the gifts with the sobering responsibility of exercising them to the greatest benefit of the Body.]
I am often reminded of the story of a man who, for most of his life, attended a church located, from memory, in the north of England. While being a respected member of the church, he was quiet and reserved and never held what might be termed a “prominent” position in the congregation. However, when he died the church was packed to overflowing with mourners. This came as quite a surprise to many there, but as the day wore on the true story of his life started to emerge.
Although not a wealthy man, he spent his life seeking out those who were experiencing financial difficulties, discreetly approaching them and offering them financial assistance on three conditions. Firstly, they were never to pay it back. Secondly, they were not to tell anyone what he had done and thirdly they were to do the same for someone else when they had the ability and the opportunity to do so. In this way he had, over many years, helped hundreds of people through times of financial stress.
This brother in Christ was exercising (in his unique way) the spiritual gift of “giving.” It was a burden that God had placed upon his heart to which he yielded himself and which he had allowed to develop over his lifetime.
As a consequence, it provided him with the authority and the power to confront and overcome the spiritual forces of fear and despair which were challenging the faith of those to whom he ministered.
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