This morning I awakened to a sense of excitement. It was not
that the Republicans had finally passed some sort of tax bill, although that
hopefully will be good too. But it was the knowledge that: “Unto us a child is born, to us a
son is given, and the government shall be on His shoulders. And He will be
called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace”
(Isaiah 9:6).
This is the Most Wonderful Gift of all. The Apostle Paul put
it this way, “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift” (2 Corinthians
9:15). Do you know Him in your heart? God gave us His Perfect Gift from heaven
since before the beginning of time. Yes, “In the fullness of time, God sent His Son,
born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under the law, that they might
receive the full rights of sons” (Galatians 4:4-5). He is the Perfect
Gift.
Another incredible truth is, “God’s gifts and calling are
irrevocable” (Romans 11:29). He is the Deliverer and has called us out
of the darkness into His marvelous light of Christmas. Do you know Him who came
on Christmas Day? Do you know your calling? Do you know the gifts that He has
given irrevocably to you for the edification or teaching and uplifting of His
church? Well, these are all discernable through His Holy Spirit given to you to
live with and within you. It is the Holy Spirit who counsels each believer. He
teaches us all things. He counsels, comforts, illuminates but also convicts.
What a gift of wisdom and power to know God’s will and desire for you.
Once we receive this grace gift of God, His Son into our
hearts by faith we are on a new course to become living sacrifices, holy and
pleasing to God. We are being transformed and renewed to be able to test and
approve what is God’s will- His good, pleasing and perfect will (Romans
12:1-2). Ephesians 2:8-10 tells us, “It is by grace that you have been saved
through faith, and this is not from yourselves, but a gift of God, lest no one
should boast.” I hope that this
gift of God by your faith has been received?
Then we are given other gifts of God through His Holy Spirit
called Spiritual gifts. Each believer is given at least one such gift that are
articulated through the New Testament. Starting in Romans 12:6-8 we can read, “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.” I have been given several primary gifts that
include serving, encouraging, teaching and mercy. As a healthcare chaplain I
serve hospital patients, families and staff to encourage, comfort and bring
God’s mercy. Through Scripture I teach God’s loving truths. These gifts freely
given by God called charismata are
special gifts of grace to meet the needs of the church. They are expressed
differently according to our level of faith in every situation, but through the
Holy Spirit’s guidance.
“Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed…There are
different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different
kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different
kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common
good. To one there is given
through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a 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 distributes
them to each one, just as He determines” (1 Corinthians
12:1,4-11). We all would like wisdom and knowledge, but these are special gifts
of God’s wisdom only given to certain people He chooses. Healing is also a gift
of God through faith. It is one more gift that I believe that God has bestowed
upon me. This gift seems to be one of spiritual healing, which Jesus says is
more important than physical because our bodies are wasting away, but our spirits
are being renewed day by day (2 Corinthians 4:16).
Peter also speaks of the gifts saying, “The end of all things is
near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other
deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer
hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever
gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s
grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who
speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the
strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through
Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen” (1 Peter 4:7-11). He repeats that
all have been given the gift of God’s grace in various forms or manifestations
to faithfully serve all people in God’s strength without grumbling. God is the
object of our praise and thanks in all things.
Paul
told Timothy, his protégé, to “fan into flame the gift of God given him.” (2
Timothy 1:6). He told him not to be ashamed, but that, “God did not give us a spirit of
timidity, but a spirit of power and love and of self-discipline” (2
Timothy 1:7-8). There it is, a strong admonition to live and serve and work out
our salvation with zeal and self-control given of God. Gentleness and respect
are important in the work of an evangelist, which we are all to be too. Let the
love of God be evident in you always to the praise and glory of God the great
giver of all things. Remember, “Every good and perfect gift is from above,
coming down from the Father of heavenly lights, who does not change like
shifting shadows” (James 1:17). Amen.
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Thanks for sharing your thoughts.