I want you to get the picture of Christmas morning in your head. The morning light hasn’t yet peeked above the horizon. Presents are waiting to be ripped open.
Anticipation fills the air as young children are just one layer of wrapping paper away from finding out what gifts await them. At last it’s time. The kids receive their gifts, and they are told the exciting news. This gift isn’t actually for them. It’s for them to use for someone else.
Can you imagine the excitement?
Okay, so maybe excitement isn’t the best word to describe their emotion. Disappointment may be a more accurate word. Why? Because they expected a gift for themselves. If I had a dollar for every time I heard the phrase “that’s mine” from my kids, I’d be a wealthy man. My goal isn’t to throw shade on my kids but to reveal something about all of us. It’s easy to think about ourselves. In fact, it’s the most normal and natural thing to do.
Understanding Spiritual Gifts
Enter God. He rarely follows the natural way of human operations but works unexpectedly. In His plan to build up the church He gives gifts. Don’t think Santa. He gives gifts not based on our behavior and not for our enjoyment alone. He does something far better.
In His grace, He gives each of His children special gifts. He sets us free from the hyper-individualism of our culture to use those gifts for the benefit and joy of the family. Romans 12:3-8 follows the anthem of verses one and two, showing us that we have the opportunity as Christ-followers to daily and selflessly offer ourselves to Jesus as a form of worship. Beginning in verse nine, Paul unpacks what practical love looks like. Did you catch the bookends? Selflessly worship God and selflessly love others.
In verse three, Paul begins with a warning not to think more highly of ourselves than we should. Humility is not thinking less of ourselves but thinking about ourselves less. This is not a statement of rebuke, for God offers a far better alternative. In Christ, we form one body and belong to each other; we are family. That is our identity.
It is only out of the context of knowing our identity that we know how to truly live. How do disciplined people live? They get up early and press through the pain and discomfort. How do generous people live? They use their resources to bless others and push past fear and control. How do loving people live? They use their words to encourage and push past bitterness and hurt.
How Christians Live Together
After Paul establishes our identity as children of God and members of His family, He illustrates different ways we get to live as His children. We live in ways that care for the family, primarily. God’s gifts are meant for the benefit of the whole family, not just for the person who received the gift. Here’s how we can expect the family to live:
We speak prophetically. This simply means we are tethered to the authority of God’s Word as we winsomely communicate His truth. We don’t get caught up in calling out society at large and boycotting the next company. Our focus is calling brothers and sisters back to the Father.
We serve. Serving others is one of the best ways to model the way of Jesus. In doing so, we take cues from our Savior who valued others more than Himself.
We teach. We make complex truths simple. We push people beyond just gathering more information but living out that truth.
We encourage. We recognize that our words are medicine to the soul. They can bring healing and restoration to what is broken.
We give. We refuse to live in fear and control, but generously give back what is first given to us so others can find joy and blessing.
We lead. We courageously take people to places they never thought they would go. We do this diligently knowing that influence impacts people.
We show mercy. We do this willingly and not begrudgingly when we remember what we deserved and what Jesus did to rescue us from that future.
Determining Your Spiritual Gifts
Have you mastered this list? If your answer is no, then join the club. The good news is God’s grace enables His children to do these things with different degrees of passion and precision. We can’t be superheroes – there is only One. His name is Jesus.
Do you know your gifts? Start by answering these questions: What gets you excited? What have others affirmed comes naturally to you? What opportunities has God opened up for you? Once you have a sense of your spiritual gifts, press into them. Don’t get discouraged when others seem to be demonstrating mercy, faith, or knowledge effortlessly. Maybe God has given them a gift that He hasn’t given you.
Be generous with the gifts God has generously given you. Capture the excitement of a child on Christmas as they open up their presents. Discover what gifts God has specifically given to you, and once you know them, see how God will use you to make His family stronger.
Want to learn more about the book of Romans? Join us every Sunday online or in-person at a local Grace campus.
