Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.
In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.
Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!
Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.
Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say,
“I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord. Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.”
Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.
Romans 12:4-21
What should Christ’s Church look like? Simply put, it should look like Jesus.
Because the idea of “church” has been temple-ized, I think too many people who are claiming to be Christians have missed the beauty of being His temple. When Jesus’ physical body left the earth an amazing thing happened. He took up residence in His people. Paul said, “It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” (Gal. 2:20). We are His body.
With that, we have been given this incredible opportunity to re-present our Lord and Savior to everyone we meet. When some one meets you are you getting in the way of them meeting Jesus? Are the people in your church feeling Jesus’ touch through you? How about your family? Are your parents, children or our spouse catching glimpses of Jesus through you or are you eclipsing Him?
Each one of us has been gifted with some portion of a spiritual gift to share with others. It is our way to “show Him” to others.
So what’s your gift? Romans 12 lists numerous gifts. One of those could be yours.
- Prophesy
- Serving others,
- Teaching
- Encouraging
- Giving
- Leadership
- Kindness
Not everyone will be a teacher or a leader. Not all of us will be recognized publicly for our gifts. But we all have a gift that God purposed in our life.
I want to share a few stories of quieter members of my fellowship who use their gifts to touch others.
- One stay-at-home mom who is a couponer brings a stock of supplies to be distributed to the church. Then whatever is left she sends to the women’s shelter.
- One brother gave up his secular job and financial security in order to dedicate himself full-time to ministering in a local prison.
- Another sister who lost a grandchild has translated her grief into service by “adopting” my children.
- Others give rides, free hair cuts, prepare meals, offer child care, etc.
I love when I see that so many of us are using their “cups of cold water” (Matt. 10:42) glorify God with whatever they have.
So if you are struggling to find your gift or your purpose I want to leave you with this.
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Rom 12:1-2
Now GO! Use your gift and be Jesus to someone today.
