For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. (Romans 12:3)
The Lord is not requiring that we attempt to go forth and "do big things for God." He asks only that we judge ourselves soberly according to the measure of faith God has given us.
It is difficult, but necessary, to find that perfect balance where we neither are "stepping out in faith" (presumption) or involving ourselves so heavily in the world spirit that we are neglecting to hold ourselves before the Lord as a priest.
Sometimes people believe and express that "if God wants to use me I am willing." The Lord ordinarily will not come down and force a person into ministry. We have to hold ourselves in readiness so the minute God speaks we can obey.
Of course, to disobey the Lord when He makes His will clear to us is absolutely unthinkable! We are the slaves of Jesus Christ. Let us remember that, for the only free individual is he or she who is a slave of Christ.
A Christian who disobeys Christ in the present hour, when the drums of Hell are beating to the attack, can count on experiencing unbearable torment and remorse in the future.
God is our Father and He loves us dearly. But a disobedient, rebellious son will be chastised very severely, and may lose altogether his place in the Kingdom of God. Let no one deceive you—it is just this serious. We have lost the fear of God in America, and the wise among us will pray until God restores His fear to them.
Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, (Romans 12:4)
The human body has many members. Each part of the body serves a vital purpose. So it is with the Body of the Christ. There is no part without a vital purpose. The Holy Spirit has given to each of us a contribution to make. If we do not make our contribution we shall suffer in the Day of Christ for our laziness and carelessness.
So in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. (Romans 12:5)
That the Christ of the Jews consists of the great Head and also a Body is a major part of the revelation given to the Apostle Paul. We are fragmented in the present hour by local churches and denominations. But there is only the one Body of Christ.
The members belong to each other. This relationship is stronger than flesh and blood. Remember, as the Lord taught us by example, our mothers and fathers, our brothers and sisters, our sons and daughters, are those who do the will of God.
It may help us to become serious about our gifts and ministries when we realize the ones whom we build up in Christ are as members of our own bodies, of our own selves.
We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. (Romans 12:6)
The first gift and ministry Paul mentions is that of prophecy. Before we emphasize prophecy, let's leave Romans, Chapter Twelve for now and go over to the twelfth chapter of the Book of First Corinthians.
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. (I Corinthians 12:4-6)
The Holy Spirit gives the gifts. The Lord Jesus Christ administrates the gifts. The Father is the One who empowers the gifts and sees that His will through Jesus Christ is carried out.
All gifts and ministries given to the believer are under the control of that believer and subject to him or her. But the believer himself or herself is to remain in the rest of God, that is, to seek continually the will of Jesus so the gifts and ministries are operated correctly.
Right here we find one of the major problems of our day. We are being told by various teachers and preachers that we are to take our gifts and go forth to minister to a "lost and dying world." This is not true. We are not to take anything or go forth anywhere except as the Lord Jesus directs us. Never! Never! Never!
We even have ministers praying to the Holy Spirit, or trying to direct the Holy Spirit or the angels. This is the False Prophet.
There is no Bible basis for praying to the Holy Spirit, directing the Holy Spirit, worshiping the Holy Spirit, or singing to the Holy Spirit. Why are we doing that which has no scriptural support?
We are to pray to the Father in Jesus' name, worship the Father and Jesus, and sing to the Father and Jesus. Then we are to permit the Lord Jesus to direct us, for He is the Administrator of the Kingdom of God.
When we obey Christ He will give us as much of the Holy Spirit as we need. It is time for self-willed people to get off the throne and start being the slaves of Jesus Christ!
To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines. (I Corinthians 12:8-11)
Notice that the accent is on diversity.
Sometimes the four (or five) ministries mentioned in the fourth chapter of Ephesians are regarded as superior offices in the Body of Christ. The Scripture will not support this viewpoint.
To be continued.
YOUR COMMENTS ARE HIGHLY WELCOME.
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