Each Christian must know what his spiritual gifts are and what ministry (or ministries) he is to have in the local church. It is not wrong for a Christian to recognize gifts in his own life and in the lives of others. What is wrong is the tendency to have a false evaluation of ourselves. Nothing causes more damage in a local church than a believer who overrates himself and tries to perform a ministry that he cannot do. (Sometimes the opposite is true, and people undervalue themselves; both attitudes are wrong.)

Gifts come because of God’s grace. They must be accepted and exercised by faith. We were saved “by grace, through faith,” and we must live and serve “by grace, through faith.” Since our gifts are from God, we cannot take the credit for them. All we can do is accept them and use them to honor His name.

Verse for today: “So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us” (Romans 12:5-6).

Also read: 1 Corinthians 12; 15:10; Ephesians 2:8-9; 4:7-16.

Action assignment: Make a list of your duties and services in your church. Are you performing well in each one? If not, ask God to redirect your thinking and give you faith for new directions in service. By His grace your gifts will be honed for the good of your church.

Warren W. Wiersbe
www.backtothebible.in