"3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.
4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another."
It's an uncomfortable truth, but in order think more highly of ourselves, we have to think less of others! Ouch! We can fall into this easily! This view of people is in contrast to God who gives each person different roles and places in life but the same value! I'm not always successful at thinking more highly about others than myself, but I'd rather humble myself and change my attitude and actions than have God humble me.
Here's some good questions to think about:
- Can I train myself to give others the same kind of grace I give myself? I fall on my face often and don't want to live under my failures. Can I offer that to someone else?
- Can I train myself to see people the way God sees them? Worthy of dignity and honor and respect?
- Can I see people who don't know Jesus as God sees them? This can be difficult at times as Christians can be seen as the enemy or we can see them as an enemy. But the truth is no one will listen to a message about God's justice, love, and forgiveness, if we don't treat them with honor and respect.
Unfortunately, sometimes those of us in the church have the opposite problem! We think that God has failed us in the way He designed us and that we have no value! We may even think we are broken beyond repair and that He cannot use us His purposes. But that's not true! Why else would a powerful God send His Only Son Jesus to die on our behalf and in our place if we have no value or purpose. Hmmm...
"Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. "
This is what we are called to! Use the gifts God has given us for the benefit of people we loves. (Also look at 1 Corinthians 12 and Ephesians 4 for additional lists of gifts God gives.) We are ambassadors of Jesus, making His appeal through us that others would be reconciled to Him. We are on a mission- and all of us are missionaries! We're all gifted differently for God's glory and His Holy Spirit gives us the power to use our gifts.
So, how are we to use our gifts? That's next up in verses 9-16. Paul doesn't miss a beat! :
"Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.
Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.
Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.
Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight."
I really have a problem with people who are phony! Our love for others has to be genuine. God defines what is good and evil. We do not. He is God and can do what He sees is best. Regardless of what we read or see in our world, God's standards are true and are the ones by which we will be judged.
When we step out and use the gifts God has given us, we'd better be prepared for problems as well as words of thanks. We will go right up against people and ideas that don't appreciate we are bucking the stats quo. This happens inside and outside the church. But if we are doing what God has called us to, He is pleased- and that is the bottom line. Pastor, author, and now missionary Francis Chan once said these words that have stuck with me, "Something is wrong when our lives make sense to unbelievers.”
The Apostle Paul ends the chapter addressing the opposition we will get as we are faithful. These verses 17-21, speak a truth I don't always want to hear:
"Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.
If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”
To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.”
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
This may be one of the hardest tests in the "Faith vs. Control" battle. How will we react when opposition comes our way? I bet at one time or another, every one of us has been opposed, slandered, betrayed, overlooked, or treated poorly. I know I have. What will we choose to do? It needs to be forgiveness.
Forgive, move on, and keep doing what God has told you to do!
- Will we choose to pray for those who hurt us? Even do well by them?
- Will we continue to work through the process of forgiveness?
(By the way-Forgiveness doesn't always mean restored relationship!)
- Will we choose to continue on with what The Lord has called us to? We must!
Biblical forgiveness is something the world doesn't not understand, but they are intrigued by it. This creates an open door for the Good News. Why? Because true forgiveness reflects the heart of God.
Maybe you've said "no" to God in the past when He was directing you. Those opportunities are gone, but He has new ones waiting for you. Take the risk!
Perhaps those natural plans and dreams are just a foreshadowing of what God intends for your life. Offer them up to Him. It means taking a chance and putting your faith in action.
Don't Ask: “WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF I OFFERED UP MY PLANS AND DREAMS TO GOD?”
Instead Ask:
“WHAT COULD HAPPEN IF I OFFERED UP MY PLANS AND DREAMS TO GOD?”
God created you with a specific design. Wouldn't it make sense that by offering up your plans would bring you the greatest satisfaction and fulfillment and bring Him the most glory?
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