Exercise Your Gifts With Love

“There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:” (1 Corinthians 12:4-7, NKJV)
God, our Father, distributes diverse spiritual gifts, natural talents, unique skills, abilities, interests, and personalities to each one of us for a purpose so that we can accomplish God’s specific task assigned to each one of us. Gifts and ministries may overlap, but each believer has a specialized, God-designed role. Together, we can fulfill the ‘Great Commission’ given to the Church by the Lord Jesus Christ.

This passage is a reminder for all that it is not by chance that we excel or are skillful in performing different or specific tasks. God is behind all our giftedness. The Holy Spirit distributes all spiritual gifts no matter what gift/s a person has. He decides which gift/s each believer should have. So, no one can take credit for what God has freely given to us.  But, we are responsible for using, exercising, honing, and sharpening our gifts. So, we must be willing to use them to carry out the work in His Kingdom for the glory of His name!

Moreover, other than our giftings and ministries, God cares more about our character – how we conduct ourselves. We must be careful to use our spiritual gifts properly. We must use it to serve and benefit the whole body of Christ and not for self-service. In 1 Corinthians, chapter 13, the Apostle Paul has shown us “a more excellent way.” He emphasized that it is essential that we excel in love. According to him, all the rest of the gifts are nothing and become practically useless without Christ-like love. They are just mere performances and empty accomplishments without love. Therefore, let us check our motives. Are we exercising our gifts for the love of God and our fellow believers?

– Contributed by Ptr Neil Marlon Crisostomo