Motivating Spiritual Gifts

About a year and a half ago I took a test administered by my church that is based on these verses.  The test is designed to help us identify, interpret, and apply those gifts which God has chosen specifically for each of us.  It was really interesting. 
 

Romans 12:3-8(NKJV)

3For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. 

4For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 

5so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. 

6Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 

7or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 

8he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

Here is how my scores turned out.  The higher the number the stronger that gift.

Admin  77%  

Exhort  19%

Give     82%

Mercy   5%

Perceive  70%

Serve   61%

Teach   73%

Isn't it interesting how God makes us all different and yet equips us with the strengths and gifts we need to all be effective together? 

"...I have tested you in the furnace of affliction."

 

Isaiah 48:10(NKJV)

10    Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver;     I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.

How can that be loving some would ask?  Well the truth is that somethings we can only learn through the trials of life.  If there was another way I'm sure God would take it but there isn't. 

So how can this be loving?  Easy.  If it is a lesson we need to learn then it is loving to teach it to us in whatever way is necessary. 

Book of Balance!

Isaiah 53:12(NKJV)

12    Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great,     And He shall divide the spoil with the strong,     Because He poured out His soul unto death,     And He was numbered with the transgressors,     And He bore the sin of many,      And made intercession for the transgressors.

Ran across a verse today that once again reminded me that we have to take the Bible in total.  Not pick and chose.  The Bible is a book of balance.

Here we have Isaiah talking about Jesus.  "And He (Jesus) shall divide the spoil with the strong".  Well doesn't that contradict the New Testament where we are told that the meek and poor will inherit the earth? 

Something to ponder isn't it? 

How Far Should We Pursue those who Refuse To Believe?

Isaiah 46:12-13(NKJV)

12    “Listen to Me, you stubborn-hearted,      Who are far from righteousness:

13    I bring My righteousness near, it shall not be far off;     My salvation shall not linger.     And I will place salvation in Zion,      For Israel My glory.

As I have written in the past, I think we spend way to much time trying to talk people into being Christians who have no interest whatsoever in doing so. 

I think this verse gives a good description of how God handles it.  He doesn't chase them down and beat them over the head with it does He?  Nope.  God says He "brings it near".  That indicates that the stubborn and hard hearted have to make an effort to draw near to God.

In addition God let's them know that they don't have forever to change their minds.  I was going to say they don't have forever to make their choice but that would be incorrect because we are talking here about people who have already made a choice and God is just offering them the opportunity to change their minds.

"I don't care what anyone thinks" - Is that Scriptural?

Should we care what other think? 

Isaiah 51:7-8(NKJV)

7    “Listen to Me, you who know righteousness,      You people in whose heart is My law:     Do not fear the reproach of men,     Nor be afraid of their insults.

8    For the moth will eat them up like a garment,     And the worm will eat them like wool;     But My righteousness will be forever,     And My salvation from generation to generation.”

Seems pretty clear to me.  Too many people let the fear of what others think limit their lives when the truth is that what others think of you is irrelevant.  The only question that matter in my opinion is this.  What does God think of me?  In other words, am I right with God?

If the answer is yes than you are good to go in my opinion! 

"If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved,…"

I have always loved the Parable of the Talents.  The theme that God has given us many gifts and talents which we need to us for God's glory or risk losing them. 

It's the risk losing them part that many people seem to have trouble with.  It just doesn't fit that loving Kumbaya image of Jesus that some people have.  Here is the passage I am talking about.  

Matthew 25:24-30(NKJV)

24“Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 

25And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’

26“But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. 

27So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. 

28So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.

29‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. 

30And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Now couple that with the concept that we don't all get equal rewards in Heaven.  While salvation is based on faith and is free to everyone our rewards in Heaven are based on our service to God. 

Now the Kumbaya folks really have issues.  Not only was Jesus mean and a name caller in the previous verse, they now find out that God isn't "fair" in their opinion.

My suggestion is that we look to Scripture for our answer.  My experience has been that when you see just a single verse or two that form the complete basis for a belief I think that belief is suspect.  However when you run across common themes that appear in multiple books in the Bible you can have much more confidence in your interpretation.

In previous writings I have offered examples of verses to support the theme.  In that spirit let me add a couple more verses here.  

1 Corinthians 3:8(NKJV)

8Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.

1 Corinthians 3:11-15(NKJV)

11For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 

12Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 

13each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. 

14If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 

15If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

Paul spells it out pretty clearly doesn't he?  The person will still be saved but will suffer loss based on poor performance.   Isn't that essentially the same thing the Parable of the Talents is saying?  

"...as much as depends on you…"

I love what this Scripture acknowledges.

Romans 12:18(NKJV)

18If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 

It isn't always possible to live in peace.  There comes a time when the only choice is to fight.  I believe that is what this Scripture is saying. 

God is a Capitalist!

Isaiah 48:17(NKJV)

17    Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer,      The Holy One of Israel:     “I am the Lord your God,     Who teaches you to profit,     Who leads you by the way you should go.

God doesn't say "who teaches you to break even".  God says "“I am the Lord your God,     Who teaches you to profit,…"

Seems pretty clear to me! 

"...note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine..."

Here is another example of Scripture that tells us that there are some people we shouldn't bother with.  We are told to avoid them which I take to mean we stop trying to save them as well.

Seems kind of harsh doesn't it?  Kinda goes against the belief that we are to always and continually try to save all.  Also requires us to make a judgment.  Take a look and then I'll share some thoughts.
 

Romans 16:17-18(NKJV)

17Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. 

18For those who are such do not serve our Lord £Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple. 

OK here is the way I see this.  We are talking here about people who have already made a choice not to serve Jesus.  They are teaching things contrary to what Jesus taught.  They are being deceptive.   And who is the master of deception?  Satan! 

So we are talking about people who are on the other side who are not interested in honest inquiry and debate.  We are talking about people who are actively trying to destroy the faith of others. 

As I've pointed out in the past, even Jesus didn't play the game with people who weren't honestly seeking.  Here we are told to avoid them.  Don't waste any more precious resources on them.  They've already made their choice so the results are on them. 

Instead, spend those precious resources on reaching those who haven't been given a chance to make a choice for Jesus.  Does that mean the others are lost forever?  Nope.  Jesus left the door open for them to return and so should we.    But the first step is up to them.  They have to return, we shouldn't be chasing them.  Make sense?

“Remember this, and show yourselves men;…."

There has been a lot written over the last few years about the feminization of the male Christian and of the Church as a whole.  I happen to think that it is an issue as well. 

Here are a couple of examples.
http://www.crosswalk.com/family/marriage/in-search-of-manliness-the-feminized-male-11602193.html

http://jwwartick.com/2014/06/09/feminizing-christianity/

I wonder what God might think of that?  Did He mean for there to be no difference between men and women?  Would He think it sexist and wrong for a man to be a manly man instead of a girly man?

I think this verse might give us a little clue.

Isaiah 46:8(NKJV)

8    “Remember this, and show yourselves men;      Recall to mind, O you transgressors.

Man Paul Drives Me Nuts!

As I've shared before I really have trouble with some of Paul's writings.  It just seems to me that Paul is way more liberal than Jesus.  And quite honestly I fund some of Paul's writings to just be psychobabble gobbldy gook. 

Let me give an example from Romans.
 

Romans 14:1-23(NKJV)

1Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. 

2For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. 

3Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him. 

4Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.

5One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. 

6He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks. 

Seems to be saying let your conscience be your guide and don't be judgmental of those who see things differently than you.  I can go along with that to a certain extent.

7For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. 

8For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. 

9For to this end Christ died £and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living. 

10But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of £Christ. 

11For it is written:      “As I live, says the Lord,     Every knee shall bow to Me,     And every tongue shall confess to God.” £

12So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. 

Here he ties it all in to following Christ.  He seems to be saying don't judge your brother, let Jesus sort it out at the end.  That seems to contradict what is written in 1 Timothy.

1 Timothy 5:20-21(NKJV)

20Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear.

21I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing with partiality. 

Is Paul suggesting that when we see people sinning we should just ignore it and let God sort it out at the end?

13Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.

OK, that sounds nice.

14I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. 

Really?  Nothing?  Isn't that then the same as the battle cry from the 60s and 70s?  If it feels good do it?  If nothing is unclean as Paul says then are there no limits whatsoever?

15Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died. 

16Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; 

17for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Really?  So then shouldn't all Christians immediately stop eating shell fish so that there is no chance of that standing in the way of even one Jewish person converting to Christianity?  Since Christian symbols "grieve" Muslims is Paul suggesting that we totally hide all references to our faith in the hopes that it might lead a Muslim or two to our faith….which we are now hiding? 
 

18For he who serves Christ in £these things is acceptable to God and approved by men.

19Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. 

20Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense. 

21It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles £or is offended or is made weak.

22£Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. 

Excuse me?  Did Paul just say keep your faith to yourself?  And talk about psychobabble.  Condemned by what he approves?  I approve of righteousness.  Why would I be condemned for that?  I approve of tithing.  Why would I be condemned for that?  I approve of reading God's Word.  Why would I be approved for that?
 

23But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is £sin.

  
This final verse I can agree with but even here I think it could use some clarification.  I think ultimately that is what he was trying to say all along but I just think he does a poor job of saying it.     

What I think needs clarification is that if you do something that the Bible has already declared as sinful, no matter how much faith you have it is still a sin. 

Some Stuff I Just Don't Get!

Here is a hunk of Scripture that just makes no sense to me at all. 

Romans 13:1-4(NKJV)

1Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 

OK, I get that.

2Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. 

3For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. 

4For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. 

This part all makes sense regarding Godly leaders.  But what about leaders like Hitler, Stalin, Idi Amin, Pol Pot, and others who have murdered and tortured millions of their own citizens? 

The above Scripture seems to make the assumption that all leaders are good leaders.  It doesn't seem to make any provision for ungodly and evil leaders.  I find it hard to believe that God is going to be terribly upset with anyone who helped topple Hitler. 

I think this might be part of why I have more trouble with Paul's writings than any other part of the Bible.

Juxtaposition

 

Romans 12:3(NKJV)

3For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. 

VS.

Mark 12:29-31(NKJV)

29Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 

30And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ £ £This is the first commandment. 

31And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ £ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

I find the juxtaposition of these two passages interesting.

On the one hand we have Scripture telling us not to think too highly of ourselves.  I think that is good advice to a certain extent.  However I think too many Christians take that to the extreme and refuse to think even moderately highly of themselves. 

Can you see why that could be an issue in the context of the second passage?  We are told to love our neighbor as ourselves.  Well if we don't love ourselves, that is think very highly of ourselves, we aren't going to have much love to give to our neighbors.

I think it is perfectly healthy to have a great self image.  We just need to constantly look to Jesus to make sure we don't cross the line from great self image to blowhard!  :)

Kumbaya Jesus or Just(ice) Jesus?

 

Isaiah 42:1-4(NKJV)

1    “Behold! My Servant whom I uphold,      My Elect One in whom My soul delights!     I have put My Spirit upon Him;     He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles.

2    He will not cry out, nor raise His voice,     Nor cause His voice to be heard in the street.

3    A bruised reed He will not break,     And smoking flax He will not quench;     He will bring forth justice for truth.

4    He will not fail nor be discouraged,     Till He has established justice in the earth;     And the coastlands shall wait for His law.”

I have written many times about my belief that those who believe in a Kumbaya Jesus are mistaken.  That God doesn't take a live and let live approach to the rejection of Jesus.  I think the above Scripture is just more evidence against a Kumbaya Jesus.

Notice the focus on justice.  God says specifically that he is sending Jesus to establish justice on earth. 

How does that relate to Kumbaya Jesus?  The Bible is very clear that God is a just God.  Someone has to pay for our sins with blood.  We have a simple choice.  We can pay for it with our blood or we can pay for it with the blood of  Jesus.  But justice requires that it be paid for. 

I believe that this Scripture just reaffirms that Jesus is just as committed to justice as God is.  Therefor when someone rejects Jesus, Jesus doesn't just shrug His shoulders and say "Oh well".  Nope.  According to the Scripture above, Jesus will be demanding justice in the end.

The question is, will you be ready?

Excellent in Guidance

 

Isaiah 28:29(NKJV)

29    This also comes from the Lord of hosts,      Who is wonderful in counsel and excellent in guidance.

If you are going to follow somebody through life do you wan to follow someone who just gives average counsel and average guidance or do you want the best of the best?

Isaiah tells us that God is wonderful counsel and excellent in guidance.  That sounds like the best of the best to me!

Who is and who isn't a child of God? What does the Bible say?

There are many misconceptions that have developed about what the Bible says and doesn't say over the years.  One of those misconceptions is that we are all "children of God" simply because we were born here on earth. 

Nothing could be further from the truth.  As I shared before, the phrase "children of God" isn't even used in the Bible until the book of John, the last of the four Gospels.  The phrase is only used 10 times in the whole Bible. 

 As I shared last time, the Bible tells us very specifically who are the children of God.  Take a look.
 

John 1:12(NKJV)

12But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 

That seems pretty clear to me.  The only ones entitled to the name "children of God" are those who believe in Jesus.  But is the Bible equally clear on who are not the children of God?  As a matter of fact it is. 

Romans 9:6-9(NKJV)

6But it is not that the word of God has taken no effect. For they are not all Israel who are of Israel, 

7nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham; but, “In Isaac your seed shall be called.” £ 

8That is, those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted as the seed. 

9For this is the word of promise: “At this time I will come and Sarah shall have a son.” £

Doesn't get much clearer than that does it?  Just because you are born of the flesh does not automatically make you a child of God.

So how do you become a child of God?  By asking Jesus to come into your life an lead you.  How do you do that?  Have a conversation with Jesus and invite Him in.  "Dear Jesus…."