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:
Paul is an amazing writer. Reading what the Holy Spirit directed him to write always piques my interest. He just seems to have a way with words. I’m sure his desire to keep a level playing field came from the life he lived before his trip to Damascus. He had a very high opinion of himself at that point. But being knocked on his back and overcome by the Holy Spirit changed the way he thought, just like the verse right before where we pick up today. In the Book of Romans chapter 12 verse 3. Paul’s hard lesson about pride shines through. His statement there is… not to think more highly of yourself but to have sober thoughts. In other words, to stay right-sized. You see, after being knocked to his back on the road to Damascus, Paul knew that the ground at the foot of the cross was completely level. No one was better than anything else. With the only exception being the one who knocked him to his back. The one who called each one of us to the ministry that HE had in store for us. At the end of verse 3 and moving into verse 4, Paul starts laying the groundwork for all to work together as a cohesive unit. Explaining that we have all been given a measure of faith and should operate inside of that, knowing that we are all different for a reason. If we were all the same, we would all be trying to do the same thing and get in each other’s way. Working together is the key to it all. Although we are all different, we all belong together. Being of one body. The body of Christ. United by a common cause. That cause is spoken about I’m Matthew chapter 28. Make disciples. Verses 5 and 6 highlight the fact that there is a reason that we are different yet have the same cause in life. Verse 6 goes into a little more detail about the differences between us talking about the one that has been given the spiritual gift of prophecy. Encouraging the one who has been given that gift to do so according to the measure of faith they have been given. That list of spiritual gifts continues through verse 8. Listing ministry, teaching, exhortation, giving, and showing mercy all as a gift given by the Holy Spirit. Paul’s encouragement is to get where you fit in and start using the gift GOD gave you to further the kingdom. I feel like the list given is not a complete list. I believe other spiritual gifts are not on this list that need to be exercised as well.
Application:
I believe that what is done by writing these SOAPS is exercising the spiritual gift that GOD has given me. I know the calling HE has placed on my life, and I do my best to carry it out. I am constantly looking for how to improve in the areas that HE has called me to, and to be honest. The reason I write is to encourage you to find where you fit in the body of christ. We are not all the same. We are made to accompany one another. I recently found a ministry partner. Who has strong points that I don’t have, and I have strong points that they don’t have. Thinking that we can operate on the sane capacity would be somewhat difficult because we were not made to do the same thing. They are made to compliment what GOD has called me to, and I am to compliment what GOD has called them to. As Paul has said, a hand can not say they do not need the eye. They both have different functions, but we’re placed in one body. My pont is this. We all need each other. I’m not just talking about the church you go to. I’m talking about the church as a whole. Being divided is a tool of the enemy. Denomination means to divide, and how the bible is interpreted matters. It was not written to leave us divided. But unite us with the common cause. Making disciples. Leading people to the Father through Christ Jesus. I encourage you today to find your spiritual gift and use it in the body of christ to bring us all together. Just because someone has a different spiritual gift than you does not make them any less important. Not all should aspire to be teachers. Maybe you are a prayer warrior. You might be one who is merciful. It could even be that you were built to encourage those to press on when they don’t feel like it. The key is to unite the body not to divide it. Let’s stop fighting against each other and work together. Jesus is coming back for a church without a spot or wrinkle. Every church on the planet should have the same goal. Making disciples… followers of Chirst. Not church doctrine but biblical doctrine. There is only one truth, and no one church has it completely figured out. We would be arrogant to think that we do. The pint is YAHWAH is the one true GOD, and HE sent HIS one and only son to die a brutal death in your place so that you could have a way to the father. The great theologian, the Beetles, said it best, “Come together,” set aside our differences and work together. It’s about GOD’S plan, not ours.
Prayer:
Father, we want to be used by you. We surrender to your plan. We know that we have all been made different, and you have a purpose for that. Our prayer this morning is that you would show us where we fit so that we could operate inside the gifts and callings that you have placed on us. We do not want to be decived. Help us to work together for the greater good of the kingdom. Show us your black and white and help us to stay in your word so that we know your truth and not someone’s idea of what the word says. The last thing we need is to be decived. We want to see your face and know your plan. Show us the very next step and help us to see the gifts that you have given us individually so that we can work together as one body. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus we pray amen.