Romans 12:5-6, Differing Gifts According to Grace

Romans 12:5-6 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;

The Apostle Paul exhorts the believers to discover their gifts and exercise their gifts for the blessing of the body of Christ. Each has a contribution to make. As a whole, the body of Christ is strengthened as individual believers are mindful of their gifts and exercise and develop their gifts. Indeed, as the saying goes, “Every person has talent; the secret is discovering what it is and learning the best way to put it into action.”

Dennis Hatfield, a consultant with the Gallup organization, told a Pastor’s Convention in Kentucky, our society tends to use the word ‘talent’ in a celebrity sort of way, but the reality is “God shapes us with the talent He would have us to have as He sends us into the world. We lack nothing for the purpose to which Christ has called us.” Hatfield encouraged his listeners to stop focusing on our weaknesses and start building on their strengths. He said society pressures us to improve our areas of weakness, but that is a waste of time. Instead, Hatfield encourages people to manage their weaknesses, by letting someone else do the things they are not good at. He says, if your talent does not match the situation, it doesn’t mean you are inferior, it means you’re in the wrong place. Hatfield says human beings find an intrinsic satisfaction from using their talents.¹

Thank God for His gracious gift of spiritual gifts. May God bless His people as they exercise their gifts for the edification of His body. Amen.

¹1000 Fresh Illustrations by Dr. Jim Wilson