The Gifts of the Spirit, part 5

Unfortunately, some believers regard spiritual service as a spare time kind of thing. They carefully divide between the prime-time business of life and the spare-time work for the Lord. Our primary purpose in life, is to glorify God, and to build His Kingdom. Spiritual empowerment is not for those who treat Christ and His Church as a weekend hobby!
 

No matter what our vocation is, we are first, and foremost, a servant of Christ. Colossians 3:17 instructs us, “whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” CSB. When we grasp this fact, the significance of our Spiritual gifts becomes evident! Whatever you’re doing each day should reflect the priorities of the Kingdom of God.
 

If you cannot do whatever it is that you do, while inviting Jesus to be with you, to use you, and to make His Presence known through you, as a Christian; it may be time to fully established His Lordship, in that area of life. The development of our Spiritual gifts needs to be happening, every single day. Don’t neglect your gift… keep it dusted off… and use it! Let God be glorified.


 

The Benefit of Spiritual Gifts

When Believers get serious about spiritual gifts, benefits begin to pile up. 

1. Those who discover and develop an awareness of the gifts of the Spirit are fulfilled and secure in their walk with Christ.
 

Spiritually speaking, believers who are functioning in areas of Spiritual Gifting … are much more healthy and satisfied members of the church. They spend less time criticizing others, or trying to “protect” their turf. They are more faithful in service and ready to rejoice in the success of others. They are content to be who God calls them to be, without envy or inferiority. In other words, they are filled with humility.
 

2. Those who are aware that the Spirit will empower them with His gifts, are excited about being effective, productive members of the Church, who are consistently ‘on the grow’ with God.
 

3. Most importantly, people who are receiving the gifts of the Spirit, live to HONOR their Lord.
 

In 1 Peter 4:10-11, we are told, “Each one should use whatever gift they have received. . . so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, in everything. To Him be the glory and the power for ever and ever.”
 

The Gifts of The Spirit are for everyone who trusts in Jesus as Lord and Savior. We are encouraged to seek the gifts; and we are told they come out of a closeness of relationship with the Lord. If you want Spiritual gifts, and you should, get closer to Jesus. His desire is for you to have them. 

If you have been given a spiritual gift, or gifts, don’t neglect them; they were given to be used friends, they don’t wear out, in fact, they get better with use.  END