Page 1 - Gift - May 2017 - Truth & Tidings
P. 1
reat questions to ask believers of less is an unreasonably weak response to the
any age include: What is my gift? perfect love the Lord Jesus showed us in sav
Where do I fit in? What is my role ing us and then giving us gift(s) to be used in
in the local assembly? Make no his service.
Gmistake – these questions are put From the outset, it is crucial to recognize
in your heart and soul by the Spirit of God. that Satan does not want us to find or exercise
Paul said to Timothy, a younger man with our gift, because he hates anything that pleas
potential, “neglect not the gift that is in thee” es God. As you press forward for God, expect
(1Tim 4:14) and “stir up the gift of God that and prepare for the reality that Satan our
is in thee” (2Tim 1:6), showing clearly that “Adversary” (1Peter 5:8) will do everything
God has put gift(s) in us and now expects us he can to derail your search for your gift with
to use them. Paul instructed the Corinthian
believers to “covet” or go in for “the best” i.e., worldly distractions (2Tim 4:10), to discour
the most impactful gifts (1Cor 12:31). Five age you from the path God has for you even
times over in the NT, we are told of crowns using other believers to do so (Matt 16:23),
that a believer can and should strive to win or as the “Accuser of the brethren“(Rev
with a view to a coming day when we will lay 12:10) try to saddle you with guilt about
every crown at the feet of the Man who died your past failures etc. to hinder your fellow
for us at Calvary. Yes, it is worth purposing in ship with, and usefulness for, God. The great
your heart to find out what gift God has given news is that men and women who have gone
you, to discover the place of service He in before us have proven the truth of “Greater is
tends for you in the local assembly, and to use He that is in you than he that is in the world”
it for His glory. Paul outlines in Romans 12:1 (1John 4:4).
that this is our “reasonable” service. Anything The question now is, what should each of