Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 273 – Romans 12:4-5 – Many Form One Body – Growing As Disciples
Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. Romans 12:4-5 (NIV)
My Body
Do you want to discover the spiritual gifts that I have given to you? Do you want to be powerfully used by me? Do you want to have a role in building up my body? Do you want to bear an abundance of fruit for my kingdom? Do you want to bring glory to my name? Do you want to be able to store up treasure in heaven with me? Yes of course, I want all these things. I would be a fool if I did not desire to be used in these ways. Could I want or ask for anything better than to be used by you. Would there be any better use of my life than to be at your service? I think not. I like the way you think. You have good desires in your heart.
Do you know where you will be able to discover and use the spiritual gifts I have given to you? I am not certain. I need you to help me to answer that question. You will discover and be able to use the spiritual gifts in my body. With that answer do you see any requirements? I’m not sure, again I will need your help. Well, first you need to be connected in my body. You needed to be rooted in my body. What does that mean to you? I will never be able to discover and use my spiritual gifts if I remain isolated, largely disconnected, and not vitally rooted in your body. I can’t discover and use my spiritual gifts, off by myself, in my own little self-contained world. No, you cannot, that is correct. I will be able to discover and use my spiritual gifts as I live in relationship with other believers in your body. That is true. Let’s be clear here. When we use the words, “My body”, what are we talking about? Your body is your church. That’s right. So, to be able to discover and use your spiritual gifts you will need to be connected and living in relationship with fellow believers in my church. I get that, I understand. That’s good.
So, you know where you will be able to discover and use your spiritual gifts. Yes, I do. That’s good. There are a few things of which you must also be certain. What’s that? I have given you spiritual gifts. Everyone of my followers has been given spiritual gifts. Not one of my followers has been omitted, you included. Everyone has been given different gifts. Not everyone has the same gifts. Why is that? How would my body function if everyone had the same gifts? Not, well. Not at all. Don’t waste your time and energy being envious of the spiritual gifts that others have been given. I won’t. That’s good. How do you think you will discover and use your spiritual gifts? I’m not sure. You will keep your eyes and ears open. Watch and listen, opportunities to be serve me will come to your attention. Take a step a faith. Engage in service. As you serve, you will discover what are and are not your spiritual gifts. Does that make sense? Yes, it does. Don’t be discouraged as you first use your spiritual gifts. Why is that? You can be sure that your spiritual gifts will grow and develop and be refined and sharpened as you continue to use them to serve me. That I will do, I will serve you! That will be very good.
Lord, I know you have given me spiritual gifts to be used in your body. Help me to discover and use all my spiritual gifts. I don’t want any gift I have been given to go unused and wasted. Use my life to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. Amen
Key Question… How is being connected in Christ’s body helping you to understand and use your spiritual gifts?
Living It Out… Make every effort to discover and use your spiritual gifts in the body of Christ.
Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord has given you spiritual gifts to be used in His body.
Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are discovering and using your spiritual gifts.
Prayer To Bless Others… May you live a godly life filled with prayers that the Lord will hear and answer.
For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:
Promises – Day 273 – Romans 12-4-5 – Many Form One Body – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide
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