A Closer Walk
Publication September 28, 2018
A CLOSER WALK
Greg Worthen
Each and every human being has been blessed by our Lord's grace with certain abilities and talents. In addition to these natural capacities each and every believer is blessed by God's grace with a spiritual gift or gifts. "And since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let each exercise them accordingly...", Romans 12:6 NASB. These abilities, talents, and gifts differ from person to person and believer to believer. In each believer's life their spiritual gift or gifts work in unison with their talents and abilities to enable them to serve the Kingdom of God in their own individual and unique way. In each local body the efforts of the individual believers build on each other like bricks in a wall to serve the local church, the universal church, and the world at large.
"Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. And there are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons," 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 NASB. These various abilities, talents, and gifts may be used in different ways by different believers in various ministries to further the Kingdom of God, and to help spread the gospel to the remotest part of the earth.
Working with our unique gifts, talents, and abilities we have a virtual smorgasbord of opportunities to serve and help in various and different ministries. Whether it is the next potluck, a homeless shelter, or supporting and encouraging a missionary, we all can have a part in serving the Kingdom of God as well as our fellow man. "As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God," 1 Peter 4:10 NASB. Our Father in Heaven has commanded us to use our unique and individual array of gifts, talents, and abilities, which He specifically selected for each of us, to carry out the various and different ministries. Some of these are in our local church, some impact our community or our state, and some reach even other countries and peoples. We have the freedom to choose which we desire to support and help.
How do we determine where we fit and where we should minister? Regarding spiritual gifts specifically, there are assessments (tests) available for believers to use as a self evaluation to help determine how our Heavenly Father has gifted us. From a practical standpoint the process of elimination can be an excellent way to help us determine which places of service each of us is uniquely gifted for. An example: several years ago our church offered an evening Bible class on spiritual gifts. During the time frame of the class the Sunday School department began looking for new teachers. One man taking the class was asked to be one of these teachers, which he agreed to do. After several Sundays of teaching he shared with those taking the spiritual gifts class that he still did not know what his spiritual gift was but he was certain it wasn't teaching.
These abilities, talents, and gifts may also be used outside the church to serve our communities and our fellow man. Such things as serving on the hospital board, or volunteering at the local library, would be examples of ways to serve. And again, we have the freedom to figure out where we can be used by our Lord.
“And since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let each exercise them accordingly...”, Romans 12:6 NASB.