How We Display the Grace of God
1 Peter 4:10
1 Peter 4:10, “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:”
Every Christian has been gifted by God. This is spectacular news! We received spiritual gifts from God through the Spirit. We are redeemed from sin and renewed in the image of God in true knowledge, righteousness, and holiness. We are saved to serve. We are equipped by God to serve one another in love.
When we receive the Spirit, we receive gifts. Our gifts are not an attachment to us; they are us. We are our gifts. Our gift is us. Or, better, the Spirit in us; united to us. When we exercise our spiritual gifts we are being ourselves for the glory of God.
We, through the exercise of our spiritual gifts, are the conduit through which the Spirit of God is redeeming and sanctifying the world. Together we are stewards of the grace of God.
But our gifts are received not merited. They are donated to us by God. You do not campaign for certain gifts or talents. They are given. They are part of how you are uniquely made in the image of God. Your gift is your divine fingerprint. You should not weep because you don’t have a different gift. Rather, you should rejoice in the gift that you have been given – recognize and develop your gift.
If you have the Spirit, you have a gift or a talent. “As each has received a gift…” (1 Peter 4:10). “Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us…” (Romans 12:6). We are our gift!
As you walk in the Spirit, your gifts will become evident and you will increase your capacity to use them. Growing in grace, is in some sense, growing in usefulness. You are uniquely gifted by God, and you have a unique service to fulfill for his glory.
That is good news! We can respond to the grace of God, we can make a return to Him in loving others with our spiritual gifts. We are like a water balloon. We receive the boundless grace of God and we become bloated, burgeoning with blessing. Using our spiritual gifts is like throwing a tightly stretched water balloon at your brothers and sisters in Christ. We shower them with the blessings we have received! The blessing that comes to us through Spiritual gifts is passed on to others by our exercising those gifts.
Our gifts must be known and then joyfully employed. “As each has received a gift, use it…” (1 Peter 4:10). To know ourselves is to know our gifts. How do I discern my spiritual gift? Here are four methods to find your spiritual gift.
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- Self-assessment –What am I like? What do I like?
- Past Experience – What ministries have you done well?
- The counsel of others – What do others see in you? How are they encouraging you to serve?
- Try something – You really do not know until you try.
Our gifts are given so that we can serve others. (“use it to serve one another,” 1 Peter 4:10). Your gift comes from God and belongs to others in the body of Christ. They need you to exercise your gift. The health of the church requires that you exercise your gifts.“To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good” (1 Cor. 12:7).
Our gifts, faithfully used, display the Grace of God. It is in the exercise of these gifts that we see Christ in others. We can see the hands of Christ working. We can serve as channels of God’s grace to others. The New English Translation says this, “Like good stewards dispensing the grace of God in its varied forms.” In a healthy, growing, serving the church, the members are healthy, and growing, and serving; they are using their gifts in service to others. You should be feeding on and fulfilling some ministry in the church. You should be blessed by the gifts of others, and you should be a blessing to others in the church.
What are some reasons that we do not exercise our gifts in the church?
1) I don’t know what they are. (Well, find out!).
2) I don’t have time. (Or, I don’t take the time).
3) I don’t want to fail. (You are failing now if your gifts lie dormant).
4) I don’t want to. (Well then, you are selfish and a poor steward who refuses to distribute his master’s wealth).
5) I don’t know what I could do. No one has asked me to do anything. (Well, I am asking today).
6) I am young, I don’t have to serve in the church, do I? (Yes you do).
So, Rejoice that you have received the Spirit of God. Rejoice that you are gifted for service in the kingdom of God. Rejoice that you can serve God and your brothers and sisters in Christ.