Romans 12:6-8
We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.
If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith.
If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach;
if it is encouraging, let him encourage;
if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously;
if it is leadership, let him govern diligently;
if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
Charles Stanley has written a powerful book entitled, Ministering Through Spiritual Gifts published by Nelson Impact. If you have not yet deciphered your own personal motivational gift, I would exhort you to follow my posts as I summarize Dr. Stanley's study from the In Touch Series. Dr. Stanley says, "I believe two things will happen as you truly understand who you are in Christ Jesus - and what your identity is within the Body of Christ. First, I believe you are going to be excited about your identity and the ways in which God desires to use you. Second, I believe you are going to be challenged to develop your gift and employ it to the best of your ability."
Before studying the characteristics of each motivational gift, let us recognize that there are certain truths. First of all, each person has a dominant gift, defining personality and identity. Next, the gift is intended to be used to support God's people. Be careful not to abuse it! The intention is to put the gifts to good use and minister to others. Further, the gift is for a lifetime. It does not come and go, although it might be stronger at differing stages. Finally, one is responsible to discover, develop, and demonstrate their gift.
As one grows in their gifts, certain behaviors should begin to manifest. There will be growth in each life, the kind that God intended. The work load and ministry of the family of believers should begin to be evenly distributed. That work should be effective and energetic. Blessings will begin to manifest themselves in new and exciting ways.
As the apostle Paul says in Romans 12: 4-5 "Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others." Please join me, over the next few Sundays, in a of review Dr. Stanley's text and the Holy Scripture, seeking insight and direction into the spiritual motivational gifts delivered by the Holy Spirit, as identified in the twelfth chapter of Romans.
As I explained to my Sunday School class, a spiritual gift, like a love language, identifies the person. You, too, will begin to understand how and why you behave like you do. God has made you an unique and special individual. I want you to develop into the creation God intended and be used to edify The Kingdom! M
