Word@Work 1Pet56 - 1 Peter 4:10
Published: Mon, 07/13/09
Word@Work from BeaconLight
USEFUL DISCIPLESHIP
1 Peter 4:10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. (NIV)
There are many sad sights in this world. Abandoned vehicles and empty buildings invite the thought, "What a waste!" Worse still are the homeless and hungry who sit without purpose day after day; or the addicts who live only to feed their habit. Although we rejoice to see many Christian ministries giving such people love and hope; there might be an even greater shameful waste within the church. Every person who has been born-again by God's Spirit has been special gifts/abilities to serve others in this sick world through God's power. If those gifts are ignored, unused or squandered on self-interest - what a tragedy!
We have been given gifts but have we received them? A gift is properly received when we gladly accept the abilities God has given, and thank Him for them. Part of the function of the local church is to help every member to recognise the gifts they have been given, and encourage the use of these gifts. The Bible identifies many gifts in at least five main passages (Rom 12:3-8; 1 Cor 12:4-11, 28-30; 2 Cor 8:7-8; Eph 4:11-13; 1 Peter 4:9-11). These gifts range from preaching and praying, to hospitality and helping. Nobody has all the gifts, and no gift is insignificant (cf 1 Cor 12:12-26), because every gift is God's provision for bringing His grace to an aching world.
So it should be a priority for every follower of Jesus to find out which gifts they have been given: then to give thanks and receive them as a part of God's equipping, and ask Him to see the opportunities to use them! Then do it! Anything less is a waste of the most significant resources God has given to the world. As we seek to become more like Jesus, so the evidence of His Spirit's presence will develop in our lives (cf Gal 5:22-23), and we will learn to serve others for Godly reasons. Do not be troubled about how other believers serve the Lord. They have their gifts, and you have yours - each gift has its own function: just be sure that you are using yours ... to His glory.
Prayer: Almighty God. Thank you for having given to me particular abilities to serve other people with Your grace. Help me to welcome, with thankfulness, all You have given. And help me to be diligent in using Your gifts, so that the love of Christ may be understood by others as I minister to them. Help me to be alert to use Your gifts in cooperation with You - at home and at work, in the community and in the church. I want to be a blessing; please give me the desire and discipline to obey. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
There are many sad sights in this world. Abandoned vehicles and empty buildings invite the thought, "What a waste!" Worse still are the homeless and hungry who sit without purpose day after day; or the addicts who live only to feed their habit. Although we rejoice to see many Christian ministries giving such people love and hope; there might be an even greater shameful waste within the church. Every person who has been born-again by God's Spirit has been special gifts/abilities to serve others in this sick world through God's power. If those gifts are ignored, unused or squandered on self-interest - what a tragedy!
We have been given gifts but have we received them? A gift is properly received when we gladly accept the abilities God has given, and thank Him for them. Part of the function of the local church is to help every member to recognise the gifts they have been given, and encourage the use of these gifts. The Bible identifies many gifts in at least five main passages (Rom 12:3-8; 1 Cor 12:4-11, 28-30; 2 Cor 8:7-8; Eph 4:11-13; 1 Peter 4:9-11). These gifts range from preaching and praying, to hospitality and helping. Nobody has all the gifts, and no gift is insignificant (cf 1 Cor 12:12-26), because every gift is God's provision for bringing His grace to an aching world.
So it should be a priority for every follower of Jesus to find out which gifts they have been given: then to give thanks and receive them as a part of God's equipping, and ask Him to see the opportunities to use them! Then do it! Anything less is a waste of the most significant resources God has given to the world. As we seek to become more like Jesus, so the evidence of His Spirit's presence will develop in our lives (cf Gal 5:22-23), and we will learn to serve others for Godly reasons. Do not be troubled about how other believers serve the Lord. They have their gifts, and you have yours - each gift has its own function: just be sure that you are using yours ... to His glory.
Prayer: Almighty God. Thank you for having given to me particular abilities to serve other people with Your grace. Help me to welcome, with thankfulness, all You have given. And help me to be diligent in using Your gifts, so that the love of Christ may be understood by others as I minister to them. Help me to be alert to use Your gifts in cooperation with You - at home and at work, in the community and in the church. I want to be a blessing; please give me the desire and discipline to obey. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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