Romans 12:4-8
4 For as in one body we have many parts, and all the parts do not have the same function,
5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ and individually parts of one another.
6 Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us exercise them: if
prophecy, in proportion to the faith;
7 if ministry, in ministering; if one is a teacher, in teaching;
8 if one exhorts, in exhortation; if one contributes, in generosity; if one is over others, with diligence; if one does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
We all have a role in the body of Christ. Sometimes I get caught up in things that I am not, rather than things that I am. God calls the body of Christ to many things, but we as individuals are not called to all things.
As Paul says, we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, and we are to exercise them. In my opinion, an important element of our spiritual development is to ask God to show us what those gifts are, and how he wants us to use them. I know that I at times have attempted to accomplish spiritual things that I am not gifted for. That’s my own personal ego at work, and not God’s will.
It takes work on our part to fully develop our spiritual gifts. We have to first discern what they are, then discern how to use them, and then – at least this is the case with me – we have to fight through hurdles that are in our path. Some of those are placed by us, some are placed by God to teach us something, and some are the result of our spiritual enemies that want to rob us of the joy of a full relationship with God. They exploit our egoes, our tempers, are fears, our wordly desires, and our doubts – all to drive a wedge between us and God, and to convince us that we aren’t worthy of using our spiritual gifts to do God’s work.
Thank God that Christ has defeated them for us, and that we can claim that victory. At the name of Jesus, every knee shall bend.
