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- Romans 12:4-8
Romans 12:4-8
Imagine spending weeks searching for the perfect gift for your child. This was something that you knew they were going to absolutely love. You purchase it with great anticipation of seeing them open it on Christmas morning.
Leading up to Christmas, you have visions of them opening the package and being filled with joy and laughter as they enjoy this new gift. You see this moment bringing joy not only to them but to everyone else in the house as well.
Now imagine on Christmas morning, as the gift is opened, they look up expressionless, say “thanks,” and put it on the shelf. The gift you searched for, which you knew would be perfect for your child, now sits on the shelf and collects dust. It never brought joy to them or anyone else in the house.
Wouldn’t that feel like such a waste?
The apostle Paul talks about gifts carefully distributed by the Holy Spirit in Romans 12:4-8
“4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your[a] faith;7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
Just as a loving parent delights in giving their child a perfect gift, God delights in bestowing spiritual gifts upon His children.”
Each of us has been uniquely gifted by God's grace. Whether it's prophecy, serving, teaching, encouragement, giving, leadership, or acts of mercy, each gift serves a vital role in the body of Christ. These gifts are not distributed randomly but purposefully given to us for the benefit of others and the glory of God.
However, like the child who neglects their gift, we too may hesitate to embrace and utilize the spiritual gifts entrusted to us. Fear, doubt, or complacency can keep us from stepping into our calling.
When we faithfully embrace and use our spiritual gifts, we unlock their transformative power within the body of Christ. We become instruments of God's love and grace, bringing joy, healing, and encouragement to those around us. Our lives bear witness to the goodness and generosity of our Heavenly Father.
May we not let our spiritual gifts go unused, collecting dust on the shelf. Instead, let us joyfully unwrap our God-given gifts and use them to serve one another. As we do, we fulfill our purpose in the body of Christ and bring glory to God, the giver of good gifts.