Having looked at the call of God, I feel like we need to address one more issue. If you think that God has not called you to do anything, then you don’t understand the principle of spiritual gifts. Before we get into this principle, realize that my job is not to condemn or correct you, but to communicate what the Word of God has to say. If you don’t know what your spiritual gift is, or if you are not functioning in it the way you should, this study may be convicting to you. But realize this:
2 Timothy 3:16-17
16 All Scripture is
inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for
training in righteousness; (It’s the
Word of God that will reprove, correct or train you about this principle, not
me!)
17
so that the man of God may be adequate (or
mature), equipped for every good
work.
I love this analogy. Church
today is much like a football game in
A football game is
where 92,000 spectators who desperately need exercise watch 22 men who
desperately need rest.
That’s the way many churches are today – a host of spectators and a handful of participants. Most churches today have a terrible lack of spiritual productivity. Part of that problem is unused potential.
Do you know what your spiritual gift is? Do you realize that God has given you something for the benefit of your church that you are uniquely qualified to do? Let’s look at a couple of passages.
Ephesians 4:7-8
7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift.
8 Therefore it says,
"WHEN HE ASCENDED ON HIGH,
HE LED CAPTIVE A HOST OF CAPTIVES,
AND HE GAVE GIFTS TO MEN."
The Greek word for gave (and given) above is the word DIDOMAI. It means to graciously give, to give for the benefit of the recipient, to supply and furnish something necessary, or to entrust something of value to someone.
So make the application: We have been graciously given this gift; it is given for OUR benefit; it is something necessary for us to serve God; and it is extremely valuable!
Let’s suppose you have an uncle who is fabulously wealthy. You come downstairs Christmas morning, and there is a present from him. Are you going to open it? OF COURSE YOU ARE! Most believers today simply leave the present unwrapped under the tree.
Do you think you don’t have one?
1 Peter 4:10
10 As each one
has received a special gift, employ it in serving one
another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
Every believer has a spiritual gift given to them by God for their own benefit. It’s up to you to identify your gift, and function in it. If you don’t know what it is, just ask!
Matthew 7:7
7 "Ask, and it
will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to
you.
Jeremiah 29:13
13 "You will
seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all
your heart.
We’ll see more principles about the different spiritual gifts, and more ways to discover and function in your gift as we continue this study.