Read Romans 12:1-8
Paul is instructing us about how to live together in unity working together in a community to care for each other. We are to use the gifts that the Lord has given to us. Whether our gifts are spiritual in nature or more practical, either way, we are to use our gifts to bless other people based on what the Lord has given you. You are supposed to use those gifts.
Are we examining ourselves with sound judgment and determining if we have gifts? If we have gifts of all sorts and we’re aware of those and we’re not using them then here's the question I believe Paul would ask us: “Are we living a holy and pleasing life for the Lord or are we quenching the Holy Spirit and denying the Lord and not using our gifts?”
This question feels like a splash of cold water to my face because before I came here I was learning about all sorts of spiritual, administrative, and ministerial gifts and I know there are areas in which I don't use all the gifts that the Lord has given me. I've experienced and used these gifts in ways that I don't teach about here. I've not even been trying to use these gifts at all let alone actively pursuing their use. Paul says we are to use our gifts with joy and to the fullness of their expression and so here's the question for all of us: “Are we using our gifts to build up this church and one another? Are we using all of our gifts or not?
Because here's what's important, we are to use these gifts for each other to build up the church and to care for one another and to show love to our neighbor and show how much we love the Lord by using the gifts that he has given to us. The Lord of the universe has given these gifts to us. We are to use them for him otherwise, why did he give them to us? So first question: are you aware of the gifts that the Lord has given to you? Have you done any self-assessment not using some test or anything like that but just examining your life against the different lists of the spiritual ministerial and administrative gifts that the Bible outlines? Look at Ephesians 4, 1 Corinthians 12, and this passage in Romans 12 and examine yourself: do you have any gifts and if you do have them are you using them? Are you using the gifts the Lord gave you to live your life holy and pleasing to the Lord or not?
Have a blessed week and may you become more like Him as you seek to live your life in such a way that is holy and pleasing to the Lord.
