According to the Word of God, we are born with a measure of faith. In the words of Apostle Paul, “By the grace given to me, I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned” (Rom. 12:3, ESV). By the authority given to us as disciples of Christ, we preach the Gospel Message to encourage believers and unbelievers to try the Lord’s Way.
When we willingly receive the Gospel Message of Jesus Christ, it embeds itself in our bodies and guides us to live peacefully, loving each other for our differences. Remember, “Through him, God has enriched your church in every way—with all of your eloquent words and all of your knowledge" (1 Cor. 1:5, NLT). "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” (Rom. 12:6, NLT). “In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers” (Acts 13:1). “What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? They are servants through whom you believed, as the Lord has assigned to each his role” (1 Cor. 3:5).
No gift is superior to another. It is not shameful that God did not give each of us the gift of prophecy. “If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well” (Rom. 12:7, NLT). Paul told the Corinthians: “I wish that all men were as I am. But each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that” (1 Cor. 7:7). Trust the Lord and understand that we have different gifts but serve the same God. No one has anything to boast about; the gifts belong to God. We have it on good authority that “a man can receive only what is given him from heaven” (John 3:27). So, “I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought” (Rom. 12:3). If given the gift of teaching, educate yourself in the Word of God and do not teach unprepared. Come ready to teach and learn. Teach when you are confident that you have done your best to show yourselves approved unto God. Practice obedience and add to your faith.
One of the military branches' slogans is “Be the best you can be.” God wants those called by His name to be their best. The command in the Word of God says it this way” “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matt. 5:48, NIV). Since, with Christ, all things are possible, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that defiles the body and spirit. Let no discouraging words prevent us from using gifts to serve the whole body.
Minister Nettie Pennington, Associate Minister, Springfield MB Church
