The Book of Romans ~ Lesson Twenty-Six

"Grateful for God's Grace"

Romans 12:3-8 (Message) I'm speaking to you out of deep gratitude for all that God has given me, and especially as I have responsibilities in relation to you. Living then, as every one of you does, in pure grace, it's important that you not misinterpret yourselves as people who are bringing this goodness to God. No, God brings it all to you. The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him.
   In this way we are like the various parts of a human body. Each part gets its meaning from the body as a whole, not the other way around. The body we're talking about is Christ's body of chosen people. Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of his body. But as a chopped-off finger or cut-off toe we wouldn't amount to much, would we? So since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvelously functioning parts in Christ's body, let's just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren't.
   If you preach, just preach God's Message, nothing else; if you help, just help, don't take over; if you teach, stick to your teaching; if you give encouraging guidance, be careful that you don't get bossy; if you're put in charge, don't manipulate; if you're called to give aid to people in distress, keep your eyes open and be quick to respond; if you work with the disadvantaged, don't let yourself get irritated with them or depressed by them. Keep a smile on your face.

We should all be grateful for what God has given us even in bad times as well as good times. I remember when my mother was very sick in the hospital. She had battled infection, pneumonia and a bowel that wouldn't heal. It took nine months for her body to finally fail and be escorted home by her Lord Jesus. She would always say she was in the hospital to tell others about Jesus. She did indeed do that. Many nurses would come visit her even if they were not her nurse that day. The cleaning crew would do the same. She showed them Jesus and who He was to her. She believed that she lived by God's grace and His kindness to her no matter how bad she felt.

I want to be like that too. It comes to this: God shows His grace to us and we in turn live our lives for Him no matter the circumstances. He is good all the time, in all situations, and we exist because of His goodness. Who we are is because He had allowed us to be. He has placed within all believers certain gifts that we are to use. Paul warns us that we should never let our pride get in the way and think its because of anything we have earned. Spiritual gifts are given as a direct result of God's grace.

Ephesians 4:16 (NLT)  He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of 
love.

God makes it all fit. No matter what we think we contribute, its Him who fits the pieces together. It all extends from His grace and love to us. When we function in the gifts He gave us, then we feel the fit. Just like a good pair of shoes slide on and help us walk, so too our gifts fit us and help us live this life as we were meant to.

Here are my top three spiritual gifts:
1. Faith
2. Teaching
3. Prayer

Do you know what your spiritual gifts are? I've written on the subject of Spiritual Gifts many times and have a blog on it as well. If you would like to know what your spiritual gifts are go to this link and find out. http://www.flumc.org/ce/03_spiritual_gift_assessment.pdf

It really helps to know where you are strongest. Before you take the assessment, pray. Ask God to show you what He has placed within you. Once you find out what your gifts are, get plugged in. If there is no place for your gift at your church, don't stop until someone hears you and allows you to use your gift. If you are new at this gift, like I was with teaching, study and learn. Get a mentor and follow them. Help out with those in your church with the same gift. We don't all start out in leadership roles. Be humble and willing to serve wherever He leads you.

Ephesians 4:1-3 (NLT) Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.

God in His wisdom, grace and kindness has seen fit to give us eternal life and with that He gives all of us gifts to build up the Church and bring others to Jesus. If every Christian knew their gifts and actively used them, the church would be so strong. Take time to find out what your gifts are and use them. By God's grace He will show you. Praise His Name!