Day 4 – The gifts God has distributed to those who know him

For 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, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

Romans 12:4-8 (TNIV)

We have seen that it is possible, although costly, to know what God has in mind for us, and that this knowledge should not make us proud, but humble. Here Paul explains why we need strong relationships with other people, as well as knowing God.

Paul’s picture is that, in Christ, we form a body of people much like a human body. This body has many parts, each with a different function. This picture shows that we are important in ourselves and part of something bigger, together. We have a unique, individual purpose, and we are not separated from other people in the body – we rely on them, and they rely on us.

Paul puts it very strongly here – “each member belongs to all of the others.” It’s already clear that we belong to God – how can we also belong to other church members? The body of believers we call the church is Christ’s body – we all belong to God, and God’s will is that we belong together. Whatever we think we have discerned about God’s will for us, it needs to be consistent with this. (See also 1 Corinthians 10:17 and 12:12-27, and Ephesians 4 for more of Paul’s writing about the church as a body.)

Spiritual gifts are given by God, according to “grace” – we don’t deserve them, so we shouldn’t boast about them. We should get on and use them, however. They are given so that we can serve each other and make the body effective. They are distributed so that we need to get together as a body in order to work. Between us, we are given all of the gifts and abilities that Jesus has, and this body stretches across workplaces, cities, countries, the whole earth – so it is no wonder that Jesus said:

Very truly I tell you, all who have faith in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

John 14:12-14 (TNIV)

Earlier we looked at what “faith” means. Many of our work colleagues probably think it means a weak form of belief, without proof. The biblical definition of faith is more of a challenge – it is always linked to action. Faith is not belief minus proof, it is belief plus action – the strongest kind of belief.

Paul tells those with the gift of prophecy to use it “in accordance with (their) faith” – in other words, in accordance with the willingness and commitment to get on and do something with the knowledge God gives a prophet. God does not speak to us so that we know things, but don’t put them into practice. God does not call us to speak his words but not do anything about them ourselves. “All those who have faith in me will do the works I have been doing,” said Jesus, and his brother James wrote "Faith without deeds is dead." Faith = belief + action.
  

To consider and pray throughout today

• What am I doing today that demonstrates my faith? Is it something like Jesus’ works?
• What difference would Jesus make at my workplace? What does he want me to do today?