II Peter part 5 cont,

II Peter
part 5 continued

Service – Following are some excerpts from “Eight Steps to Spiritual Maturity”
regarding Christian service, the fourth step on our chart.

First, the Holy Spirit has given each believer a gift (I Cor.12:7).

Second, gifts are not based on the spirituality of an individual. That is evident as Paul tells the very corrupt church of Corinth that they were also given gifts (I Cor.1:7; 3:1-3).

Third, gifts are not the same as the fruit of the Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit is to be part of a person’s character (Gal.5:22-25).
Fourth, it is possible to have a gift and not use it.
Paul warned Timothy about this (I Tim.4:14; II Tim.1:6).

Fifth, gifts are never intended for personal benefit but for blessing others.(I Pet. 4:10; I cor.14:12) (Note: exception I Cor.14:2, 4).

Sixth, gifts are not talents or ability. One’s talent or ability may be exercised along with the gift but they are not Spirit given gifts.

Seventh, one is to operate his gift in the realm of faith provided him (Rom.12:3).

Eighth, one can know his Spiritual gift in two ways. If one is being filled or controlled by the Spirit, he will know his gift because he will be exercising it. The issue is not the gift with its related power, but the full control of the Holy Spirit (Note: complete yielding to the leadership of the Spirit).
Furthermore, one can discern his gift by that which motivates him. Specifically, what is the thrust or drive provided by the Holy Spirit? (pg.339)

Ezra 1:5 – Then the heads of fathers' households of Judah and Benjamin and the priests and the Levites arose, even everyone whose spirit God had stirred to go up and rebuild the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem.

Ro.12:6-8 –Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith;
if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

Prophecy: The word prophecy means to speak forth. The term was used of Aaron who was to be the spokesperson in behalf of Moses. The word prophecy contains two forms or aspects of prophecy called foretelling and forthelling [sic]. Foretelling is the predicting of truth beforehand. Coming from divine revelation. Forthtelling is the proclamation of truth already given and can be referred to as preaching.
(See I Cor.14:2 for a biblical definition of prophecy).

Ministry: Ministry can be rendered as practical service. Interestingly, the word ministry is the word for servant or one who serves. The term could address any spiritual or physical ministry. Nothing inspiring or miraculous is related to the work of ministry. The work of ministry is just plain hard work! As a servant, one should not be afraid to get his hands dirty or to do the undesirable task.

Teaching: Teaching addresses the instruction of others. This gift provides one with the joy of making the Scriptures clear and understandable. The stress is not on proclaiming or preaching as in prophecy [sic], but on explaining the truth. The one with the gift of teaching is able to understand, organize, and explain the truth. Here the emphasis is on a special gift because all believers are obligated to teach to some degree (Mt.28:19-20; II Tim.2:2).

Exhortation: The thought of exhortation is comforting or encouraging. The word means to call or summon to ones side, in the sense of encouraging, comforting, or consoling. This individual stirs others positively. Perhaps the greatest example is Barnabas, whose name means son of consolation. He took to his side Paul and John Mark to encourage them in the ministry (Acts 9:26-27; 15:39).

Giving: The gift of giving speaks of those who share earthly possessions. The imparting of substance to others in need without receiving recognition marks these folk. These people live to give and give. They do it with simplicity or liberality. They have no ulterior motives; in fact, they are free from hypocrisy or pretense. They just love the thrill of giving!

Ruling: The word rule speaks of governing or administrating. Coming from a Greek word meaning to set or stand before, this is one who is placed in front as an authority. The term is not addressing the function or office of an elder, but those who have the God given gift to organize and lead others. These folk rule with diligence, which means they put forth the effort to get the work done. They are not lazy, nor do they do the job halfheartedly.

Mercy: The gift of mercy is the ability to express compassion towards those in misery. These folk are able to express sympathy to those who are hurting the most without dragging them further down. Showing mercy with cheerfulness, these folk can bring a smile to a room and happiness to a dark situation. They freely give of themselves in love and cheerfulness.

Our responsibility to God is to fulfill His task assigned to us. Part of that task is to use our God-given gift(s). If we neglect to exercise our gift(s) then we have broken the circuit and have cut off the purpose and power of God.
The purpose and power of God can only effectively operate through a yielding or submissive person. Furthermore, through neglect, we will forfeit possible future rewards and recognition by our Lord.
Paul reveals the future Bema Judgment, which every believer will face. The believer’s works will be judged for their quality and the believer for his faithfulness to his Lord’s commands.

I Cor. 3:13-15 – each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work.
If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward.
If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

I Cor.4:2 – Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.

Every believer needs to understand that there are future consequences to present actions. The sins of neglect or disobedience will reap the loss of future positions of service with the Master. We are to remember that one is not saved to sit but to serve Him who saved us!
The submissive one not only places himself in a position of being used by God, but of being developed by God for the fullest use.
It is one thing to do the bidding of God and another to be molded by Him for the message He intends to display.
The bidding of God to a ministry is revealed in the use of gifts and other related tasks. The molding of God is laid before us in conformity to the death of Christ, and in the Sermon on the Mount. (Mt.5 – 7 ) (Eight steps to Spiritual Maturity - pgs. 340-342)