Scripture:
Romans 12:3-8 NKJV
[3] For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. [4] For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, [5] so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. [6] Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; [7] or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; [8] he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
Observation:
I don’t know if you know it or not, but we are all a little different. GOD did that intentionally. HE made us all in HIS image but gave us different spiritual gifts. Sometimes, that’s hard to take an honest assessment of. As I was praying about what needed to be said this morning. It was hard to come to the right scripture. Honestly, the enemy has had me somewhat distracted. His attack doesn’t stop just because we are living for GOD. In fact, it gets more relentless the closer you get to the calling HE has placed on you. That’s why it’s important to understand who you are and who those who labor among you are. Paul’s words here in Romans chapter 12 help us to look at the different parts of what GOD has put together, with an honest, humble view of ourselves. I love the way verse 3 puts it, “not to think of himself more highly than he ought but to think soberly.” Now the word soberly here doesn’t strictly mean drugs and alcohol. However, I believe that’s an important aspect of having a clear mind. But what’s being said is the think about yourself with good clear judgment. Having an honest assessment of your strengths and weaknesses. Being right-sized, you might say. In humility knowing the position you have been built for. What Paul is saying is don’t force your way into a position that’s not meant for you. Not everyone is a pastor. We are all given different gifts for a reason. But each gift contributes to the body of Christ. A collection of people who are brought together to serve the LORD as a team. When one person thinks of themselves as higher than they ought to, it throws the whole team out of position. Paul’s instructions to stay right-sized are the key to working well together. As he continues to tell us we are all different for a reason, he goes over a short list of spiritual gifts. This list is not a complete list, in my opinion, but it gives a brief understanding that they are all designed to work together for the edification of the body of Christ. Finding out what the gift is that you have been given has to be done through the lens of verse 3. That’s where it all starts, and Paul knew it. That’s why, as he started writing Romans chapter 12, he came at it the way he did. Telling the church not to be conformed to the ways of the world but transformed by renewing your mind. Being able to prove what is the perfect will of GOD. That word “prove” that is in the New King James version in some versions is translated to test. So it would read, “so that you may be able to test what is the perfect will of GOD.” Paul is saying it’s important to know exactly who you are and the gifts that you have been given so that you can be put in the proper position in the church you have been placed in. In other words, bloom where you’re planted.
Application:
I remember when I first got saved many years ago. I was very eager to serve the LORD. I ran headlong into ministry. Feeling the call to ministry was very exciting. I wanted to make an impact on the world. As I studied the bible and began to understand that we are all called to go and make disciples. I felt the call to become a youth minister and quickly realized that it was not my calling. But if I had never tried, I would have never known. As I continued to explore the bible and feel the call, I stepped into other areas of ministry. From preaching the word to emptying the trash at the church. Staying right-sized was the key to finding out where I belonged in the body of Christ. You see, here’s the thing not all of us are meant for the stage. Although most of us think that’s the position to seek after. We look at the calling as if it’s the most important one. However, we have to have all parts in order to function correctly. Being willing to get in the trenches with those who are hurting and showing them the love of Christ so that they will know what they have been looking for all their lives. That’s an important part of the body as well. But it’s no more important or less important than the position that is given to someone on the stage. We have to remember the goal. It’s to bring people to Christ. In order to do that, we all have to be in the right position. I’m going to be honest here. I don’t mind taking out the trash at church. I fact I rather enjoy it. Preparing the church for someone else to have the same encounter with Christ that has been had by countless others, including myself, is a spiritual gift. Chasing after a position or a title in the church is not where it’s at for me, and honestly, I hope it’s not where you’re at either. I’m hoping you will get in the trenches. Go to the streets and pull them out of the hell they are in. Or just give them some kind of hope as they see you making coffee knowing that you were once in the same place they are now. We all have a part to play in the bigger picture. But if we think too highly of ourselves, we will never find our rightful position in the kingdom. We can either start at the top and have GOD bring us to the bottom. Which honestly is the way I did it, and this is my warning to you. It’s not a good way to do it. Or we can start at the bottom and allow GOD to reveal our position as HE reveals the spiritual gifts that HE has bestowed on us. I’m telling you, from experience, this is the better route. It hurts a lot less. My suggestion is that we find where we fit by humility. Serving GOD wholeheartedly. Not ourselves. We do not need more people chasing after self-promotion. We need them in the trenches kicking down the gates. It’s not comfortable. It’s not fun, and you may never get recognized. But who do you really want them to see anyway? You??? Or Jesus???? Very rarely did you see HIM in the synagogue. HE was out in the streets. Meeting people where they were at. My point is that we all have a different role in the church. Find your role and step into it. Start at the bottom and let GOD lift you up. Don’t elevate yourself. Let GOD do that.
Prayer:
Father, help us to look at ourselves in a proper light. You have made us with specific traits and characteristics and designed a perfect position for us. Let us not seek the attention spot but a lowly spot. Let us sit in the low position and be asked to move to a more honorable position. Not to seek the highest position and then be humbled due to our pride. We want to seek after your face. We want to see ourselves the way you do. We know that you cherish us so much that you sent your son to show us how to do this thing called life, and we can see that HE took the position of a servant. HE did not come in HIS glory but stepped out of glory to come and serve. Show us what gift you have given and help us to be willing and obedient to step into that gift. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen.