by David Brenneman
"The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaint. As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen." 1 Peter 4:7-11.
A chief lesson to learn after coming to Christ is learning what our new spiritual gifts are and how the Father wants them employed in our part of the world.
We aren't to come to Christ, have these spiritual gifts bestowed upon us and then go hide them. We likewise are not to abuse them. Nor dismiss them in order to seek others that we weren't given.
"But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired." 1 Corinthians 12:18.
"But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills." 1 Corinthians 12:11.
We can often be disappointed or dissatisfied with what our part of the body of Christ we are. Paul likewise addresses this.
"For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot says, “Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. And if the ear says, “Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. If they were all one member, where would the body be? But now there are many members, but one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; or again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; and those members of the body which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our less presentable members become much more presentable, whereas our more presentable members have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it." 1 Corinthians 12:14-27.
We don't choose what our parts are or what they are to be employed as. Ours is to obey and do.
Jealousy, bitterness, strife, anger even, can come upon the heart subtly or even so quickly that it's not recognized for what it is.
There's millions and millions of people who were never mentioned in the New Testament or even the Old Testament that did wondrous things for the Lord Jesus Christ that will be rewarded for such in that day that is swiftly coming.
We live in a world where job descriptions are no longer what they used to be and have unfortunately tried using that particular lens to view the spiritual aspects of our life. In the working world people no longer are doing a simple set of tasks for 30 years. There's a grocery list of items on every job description posted where employment is needed.
In Christ we are to obey in doing what we were called to be doing.
"for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable." Romans 11:29.
Remembering as well: "But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills." 1 Corinthians 12:7-11.
This, I believe, is at the heart of seeking first His Kingdom and His righteousness. We cannot know how best to employ what we were indeed given if we are not asking how, when and where they should be used.
In the parable of the talents we see that we must boldly employ what we were given to the glory of God. The one guy who did nothing with what he was given...well we read it didn't go so well for him.
Do you really want to stand before Jesus, likely soon, and have nothing to show for what He gave you to use for His glory?
These gifts are to be used to bring Him glory in reaching others for Christ. We show them the way to Jesus and Jesus saves. We do not. But unless people see our good works they will not glorify our Father in Heaven. "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." Matthew 5:16.
Are you asking God what your gifts are? Have you been stung at a church and have withdrawn from the body of Christ? Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness.
Have you possibly known about a gift or two but haven't used them? Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness.
Have you not gone all in with your calling in Christ? Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness.
Be satisfied with what you were given, what you were called to be doing. There were 12 Apostles yet we only have Biblical records in the New Testament of but very few. This does not at all mean that their ministries were any less holy or important.
You, my Dear Reader, might be that individual who introduces that last person to become part of the body of Christ, the Church, and in doing so usher in His return for His Church.
We don't need our name in lights. We are already famous in our Father's eyes. We are so adored by our Father in Heaven and the Lord Jesus Christ. We are loved by Him.
Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you.
Do what it is you were called in Christ to be doing.
All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.
New American Standard Bible
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