Gifted?

3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 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 12:3-8 (ESV)

Paul is speaking by the authority (grace) given to him as an apostle to each and every member of the church regardless of their state or condition, whether holding a position in office or not, regardless of their abilities or capacity, acknowledging that everyone given the manifestation of the Holy Spirit. Paul warns us that we are not lay claim to what does not belong to us nor divert from others as they may have equal if not superior abilities to us. We are also not to elevate ourselves as if what we have was not a gift from God through the Holy Spirit. There is also a warning here from Paul that we should not attempt to reach for to high a goal that would step us up for failure, this is not discouraging us from attempting things but we should rely on the Holy Spirit and the gifts, abilities, light and knowledge that has been given us by God. We must remember that we do not have all faith and knowledge nor do we have the whole faith of the Gospel only a portion of it. We must understand that the knowledge of the whole faith being portioned out to everyone with some having a greater understanding of evangelical light than others and that everyone has some, but no one has all.

Just as the human body has many parts the church has many members that must work in union of one another with no member being more important than the others, that all are working together for the good of the whole. We the chosen of God redeemed in Christ and justified by His righteousness, sanctified by the Holy Spirit are but a few compared to the men of this world. We must consider ourselves as many that make up one body, the church in which Christ is the head, each community of believers consisting of varied people united and inseparable together under Christ the head, Lord and King distinguishing this body set apart from political and civil bodies among men.

No gifts given us are from the effects of nature nor from the fruits of human power or effort but come to us from the grace of a loving God who dispenses them there is need. God grants us the gifts when, where and to whom he pleases in a free and sovereign manner to be acknowledged as such and used for His glory and for the good of His body and people. The gifts mentioned here of prophecy, service, teaching, exhortation, giving, leading and mercy are not extraordinary and are lasting and will continue in the church until Christ return. Prophecy here is not foretelling of future events but the ability to understand and explain scripture so one can apply it to their lives today. “For we know in part and we prophesy in part.” ~ 1 Corinthians 13:9 (ESV) (See also: 1 Corinthians 13:2/13:8/14:1/14:3-6/14:22/14:24/14:29).

Those who are gifted with prophecy, the ability to open and explain scripture need to make good use of this gift and constantly toil, diligently preparing for it by prayer, reading and meditating, continuously exercising it as often as possible. “For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.” ~ Romans 12:3 (ESV). Those gifted with prophecy do not think you are better or smarter than those who are gifted elsewhere but use this gift and serve others with modesty and humility according to the proportion of faith.

“17 For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry." ~ Acts 1:17 (ESV) “4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." ~ Acts 6:4 (ESV)

The word (διακονία or diakonia) translated as “service” sometimes signifies the complete ecclesiastical ministry, even the office of apostleship, as well as the ordinary ministering of the Gospel. This gift seen as being a distinct office from prophesying: or preaching the word, and should be used, employed, and attended to with attentiveness, meticulously, and constancy; those who are entrusted to this position, are selected not only to a place of honor, but of service and business, in which they should behave with care, intentness, and modesty.

“11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,) Ephesians 4:11-15 (ESV)

The gift of teaching and exhorting are subdivisions of prophesying not saying that different offices or servants needed or even intended but different functions of the same office. One persons’ talent may consist of more that one and one person's gift may lean more toward one than the other. Plainly speaking a person should attend to the gift that is most individualized to them. If your gift is teaching then constantly occupy yourself with teaching, we are speaking of the church here and not a secular school system, in the instruction of churches and the members in the doctrines of the Gospel to establish and build up the Body of Christ in the most holy of faith. We are talking about teaching the abilities of opening, explaining and defending the doctrines of Christ, apart from the ministering of the word and the administration of ordinances that pastors are employed to do.

“30 So when they were sent off, they went down to Antioch, and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter. 31 And when they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement. 32 And Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, encouraged and strengthened the brothers with many words.” ~ Acts 15:30-32 (ESV)

Another branch of prophesying and more practical lies in giving a word of exhortation or encouragement to the member of the Body of Christ. It is as important to encourage one another as it is to teach, when one may teach a certain age group of interest one who exhorts must do so to all sorts of persons. To encourage, comfort and speak a word of calmness into a person explaining the principle of free justification by the righteousness of Christ and the forgiveness of sin by His blood, to bring the good news of salvation by Christ and by opening the exceeding great and precious promises of the Gospel is as important as breathing.

If you are gifted with generosity then give with faithfulness and integrity for this gift is not only of self giving of time talent and treasure as all saints should do but the gift of working with the church treasure. If this is where you are gifted then serve without fraud or embezzlement from the church, be impartial and respectful of persons and institutions.

If you are gifted with the gift of leadership then pay attention to the conversations of the members your church, caution them when they become hardheaded and disorderly, be willing to negotiate differences and prepare issues to bring before the body. In fulfilling this gift do so in good knowledge studying the issue at hand, use care in thoughtfulness and be diligent.

Those gifted with mercy do so with care and love, visit the sick and distressed communicating to them, as their needs and wants dictate. This all should be done with a grateful heart and pleasant look, be cheerful to make the visit and gift welcoming and acceptable and most importantly useful. You see the gift of mercy is not just that of showing compassion to those who are miserable as we are miserable or giving food and clothing to those in need, should we not be doing this already.

Father show us where You have gifted is and teach us to use the gifts in a way the pleases You. Make our hearts desire to bring glory and honor to You and Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen. <><