And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, ... 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. [Eph 4:11-12, 15-16 ESV]
We ended last time talking about building each other up as believers and today I want to look at one very practical way we are called to do this. We are called to build each other up through our spiritual gifts. We all, if we have the Holy Spirit in us, have been given a gift or gifts to use. “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” [1Co 12:4-7 ESV] We have been given these gifts for “the common good” and for “building up the body of Christ.”
This is a strange time we live in. Church does not function today as it did 8 months ago. The way we served a year ago may not be viable, or even what God is calling you to do today. But let’s be careful not to let this change become a foothold in our lives where Satan can prevail. How is God calling you to serve today? I’m sure none of us would think underground churches in China have no believers using gifts, but it’s hard to see how God might use you today in a pandemic when you may not have a ministry or church building to go to. Our way of church has changed.
Do not be discouraged. Our God is very creative. Would you have thought a year ago you could be sitting in your pajamas, singing with the worship team, and watching Jim live from your living room couch? Did you ever think you would have gotten so much joy from coloring in an Easter Egg and then driving all over the Siloam/Gentry area looking to see how many eggs you could find? (And I’m not talking about the kids in the family!) If you would have asked me a year ago if I’d be writing devotions instead of teaching a class I would have thought that idea absurd, but this is where God has led me to today. I don’t know where He’ll lead me to next month or next year, but this is where I am today. Let’s walk in what He’s called you in today. Remember He will equip us for every good work.
For 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. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. [Rom 12:3-8 ESV]
Our church is a body, and if members aren’t serving when God has called them to, the body cannot function as it should. How can we love each other? How can we serve each other? How can we build each other up?
Reflection Questions:
- Have you prayed if God may be calling you to a new way of service?
- Can you think of new and creative ways to use the gifts God has called you to in the past?
Write down some ways you can love on your church body during this strange time.
Reflection Song:
