EXAMINING GOD’S GOOD GIFTS TO YOU
The biblical Word of God tells you every good gift and every perfect gift is from [God] above” (James 1:!7). God’s good gifts include his Son Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit and gifts from the Spirit. The Bible allows you to open and examine God’s good gifts.
GOD’S GREATEST GIFTS TO YOU
God’s greatest gift to you is his Son Jesus Christ who died for your sins. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16; Romans 5:8).
After Jesus was crucified and rose from the dead, he told his disciples: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” When Jesus’ disciples preach the gospel on the holy day of Pentecost they told listeners: “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38).
Jesus said: “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me” (John 15:26).
Today, if you have repented and believed in Jesus Christ, God’s Holy Spirit lives in you, (John 14:17; 1 John 4:17). And the Spirit gives you gifts to help you in witnessing for our Savior and Lord.
GOD’S SPIRITUAL GIFTS TO YOU
Besides God’s greatest gifts, God’s Word also encourages you to examine the Lord’s gifts from the Holy Spirit. The Bible tells you: “there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord;6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone” (1 Corinthians 12:4-7).
1. LOOK AT HOW GOD HAS ASSIGNED SPIRITUAL GIFTS
The Scriptures tells us: “God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues” (1 Corint5hians 12:28).
2. SEE WHY GOD HAS GIVEN A VARIETY OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS
“He [God] gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds[c] and teachers,[d] 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:11-12). And to each member of the body, God has given various gifts of the Spirit “for the common good” and best functioning the church-body (1conrinthians 12:4-7).
The apostle Paul realized that some of his many gifts included preaching the gospel to people, and be teaching gifted-believers to minister to others for Christ. Paul told believers:
“In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. 7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.
9 Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection,[e] and take delight in honoring each other” (Romans 12:6-10).
One’s particular gifts does not make the recipient intrinsically more acceptable or less worthy than other members of the church. For the sacrificial work of the Lord Jesus Christ has make all members of his spiritual body “kings and priests unto God and his Father” (Revelation 1:6).
3. RECOGNIZE AND THANK GOD FOR HIS GIFTS
If you recognize what your particular gifts from the Spirit are, you should use them gladly, according to God’s Word. If you do not know what your spiritual gifts are, the Word tells you what to do: “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you” (James 1:5). And you should give thanks to God for all of His good gifts through Jesus Christ (Romans 8:28; Thessalonians 5:18).
In assessing how you have used your gifts in working for the Lord and his people, the Bible tells you Jesus will judge you and your works by the fiery Word of God. And if anyone’s works survives the fiery trial, they will receive a reward. But if the works of anyone who have accepted Christ as their Savior do not survive the trial by the Word, they will suffer loss, though they themselves will be saved (John 12:48; 1 Corinthians 3:14-15)
Paul, is an example of someone who faithfully used his gifts. Inspired by the Word and Spirit of God (John 6:63), Paul tells obedient believers, “henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:8).
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