| Whatsoever
Things Are True
by Dan Coburn Pastor, Emmanuel Baptist Church pastordan@mtida.net Last week we were discussing Spiritual Gifts and promised to discuss the question: “Why Me?” First let me share my definition of Spiritual Gifts. They aren’t the prize, nor the goal, nor the destination. They are the Supernatural Enabling of Humility for the purpose of growing God’s Kingdom through Service to our fellow man. They flow primarily from the local Church - “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit (benefit) withal (others).” - 1st Cor. 12:7. In God’s realm, what would benefit others is that they would come to a saving knowledge (relationship) of/with Christ. “To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.” - 2nd Cor. 5:19. Spiritual Switch. I love team sports; especially at the highschool level. The players are motivated by the purest desires, as are most often the coaches. They aren’t compensated properly for the extra hours they devote to their players as a team or as individuals. Their mentoring is very often a ministry. Working in God’s kingdom is much like team sports. I’ll spare you the analogies and render it down to two points. First, there is a goal, and Second, there are rules. Our goal is to “make disciples” - Matt. 28, and in doing that we must stay within the parameters of the rules (living Godly lives). So many Christians cry out in their heart of hearts: “What is God’s plan for my life?” when it is just this. Make Disciples, and Stay within the bounds God has established. Yes, there are specific ministries (callings) God places us in, but for most of us, He won’t reveal these until we get the first things settled. “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” 1st Peter 4:10. In Short, God doesn’t give His gifts to us so we can parade them around, or show them off, or be Holier than thou. In fact, it is with respect to Spiritual Gifts that Paul says: “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.” Rom. 12:3. “For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” Luke 14:11. Do you think of the Goal daily? Constantly? Do you strive to play withing the rules? Do you feel Supernaturally Enabled to humble yourself, submitting in the small stuff to others wishes or do you constantly try (in vain) to tune other people up? Are you at peace? Stop trying to do things occasionally for God, and let Him work through you. “I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in (through) me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God who loved me, and gave himself for me.” God Bless. |
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