Now there are diversities of gifts but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administration but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operation, but it is the sane God that worketh all in all. 1 Corinthians 12:4-6.

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers, for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. Ephesians 4:11-12.

My fourth grade teacher, Kathleen Rule, had a reputation as being strict. Most of the kids didn't speak her name out loud; they whispered it. Back in those days, teachers didn't just carry a big stick, they used it. To me though, Miss Rule was a pussycat. I had a reputation, too, you see; I was teacher's pet. I was good at being good, even before my grades were all that good. Later on, when I got the knack of studying and taking tests, I learned of other ways to impress the authority figures in school. Without really meaning to, I became a gentleman and a scholar.

Every one of us is born with some talent, ability, or gift. These come from the natural man, and we inherit them or develop them through learning and training. God certainly can, and does, use these inborn gifts. What a thrill it is to see someone with a rare gift of singing or playing instruments to use their talents to the glory of God. Others serve the Lord through their organizational skills, or through less-recognized talents like cooking or babysitting. God can use any abilities he has given us to his glory. Whether we're Christians or non-Christians, we can make use of what nature and experience have given us. Only Christians, though, have spiritual gifts.

Many people have the training and ability to teach, but only Christians have that special ability to impart the truths of the Word to others. There are many Biblical scholars with detailed knowledge about the Scriptures, but only a Christian with the gift of prophecy can share God's truth through inspired preaching. It may seem so obvious as to not need repeating, but without the Spirit there are no spiritual gifts. Without power, there is no light in a lamp. Without heat, food goes uncooked. Without the operation of the gifts of the Spirit, the church is just another organized body, not the body of Christ.

Sadly, many, if not most, Christians go through their lives without realizing, or even caring, that God has given them gifts. Later on in I Corinthians 12 (12-27), Paul describes the church as a body made up of many parts, each with its own use and function. If a part of the body, such as an arm or leg, goes unused, it atrophies, and ceases to serve a useful purpose. Similarly, when some parts of the body of Christ go unused, the whole body suffers. Paul lists three purposes of spiritual gifts: the perfecting (or wholeness or completeness) of the saints (Christians), the work of the ministry, and the edifying (or building up, or strengthening) of the body of Christ (the church). None of these purposes can be carried out if we fail to use our gifts, or abuse then, or if we have no idea what they even are.

Paul lists spiritual gifts in three different places. Besides the controversial list in I Corinthians 12 and the one from Ephesians 4 given above, he gives another set in Romans 12 (verses 6 through 8). Even the quality of mercy, he says, which we should all have as Christians, can be present in such a degree as to represent a true gift. A gift from the Spirit left unused is like the talent buried in the field; if we just hide it away, we may lose it. If we abuse our gifts, as the Cornithian church did, the Lord will still hold us accountable.

What are your spiritual gifts? How can you know? Often times the Lord may take a talent or ability we already have, and turn it by his power and grace for his own use. Our music minister was born with a marvelous talent to dance and sing, but only the Lord could turn his talents into the ability to lead a church choir to heights of worship and praise. Our choir, and those of several other churches, joined in a concert this past Sunday night of such sovereign power and praise that all any of us there could do was gasp in awe and wonder. Greg didn't do that, but the Lord used him as his instrument to help bring it about. The Lord gave me the ability to write as a natural talent, but only he can make this newsletter what he intends it to be. The first part of the answer, then, is identifying what you do well, what you like to do. That doesn't have to mean something spectacular; even the capacity to serve others by cooking, cleaning, or opening doors is a marvelous gift God can use.

Beyond that, allow God to use you in ways you never thought possible. Ask him to help you see what he's doing around you, and what you can do to join him. Maybe you can't sing a lick, but you can pray. Maybe you're frightened at the idea of witnessing to others; join a training class in evangelism at your church, and go out as a silent partner with one or two others. If you have a special ability to feel the hurts of others, and a desire to help, consider training in lay counseling. If you have a generous spirit, and the resources, the Lord may have a special ministry of giving for you.

Don't think the list of gifts that Paul gives exhaust the possibilities; for every need, for every situation, the Spirit can bestow gifts to fill the need. Some are long-term, or ministry, gifts. Some may be given to meet the needs of a particular situation. The Spirit may let you know of impending danger, or may direct you to a specific place to help a lost soul or another Christian. He may give an extra portion of faith to face a crisis, or use you to minister healing to someone who is sick or dying. Don't limit God to your own expectations or abilities; his resources are boundless. He will bear you up on eagle's wings (Exodus 19:4); don't be content to crawl along on the ground.

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JESUS IS the Bridge Ministries

Beneath His Wings Devotionals - Vol. 1