have an individual as well as a cor porate impact on this world. SPIRITUAL GIFTS In Scripture we have a clear-cut definition, given by God, as to how He wants the Church to operate. The Lord's ideal is that we should be ministers one to another. Each individual brings his gifts and tal ents to the Body so that the entire outreach can ultimately bring glory to Christ. Among the gifts listed in Romans 12 is exhortation (vs. 8). This does not mean that we have the prerog ative of criticizing others. In the original it is the same root as the term the Lord used when He said He would send another Comforter. The word has in it the idea of a person who comes alongside of us to help. We rightly call the Holy Spirit the Paraclete, or the Encour ager. One of the greatest causes for our spiritual defeat is discourage ment. Sometimes we get the feel ing that no one cares. Perhaps you have heard of the businessman who was so in distress that he decided to end it all. A policeman, noting his plight, rushed to see if he could stop him. He tried to talk ration ally to him for about five minutes. The story, which is doubtless apo cryphal, has them both jumping off at the end. We get to feeling that way, too, at times. Everything has gone wrong. There is defeat on ev ery hand. While we know the work of Christ is going forward, yet there are those who would convince us otherwise. What a tremendous thing it is to possess this gift of en couragement. There is a great need for those who can look on the bright side. To be sure, the encour agement must be on a solid Bibli
cal basis. Consider the mission aries who are on the front lines of Satan's dominion. They may be in need just now of your letter of cheer and promise of prayer. Coupled with that gift is the one promised to those who show "mer cy, with cheerfulness" (12:8). This is a little different than "exhorta tion." Here is a person who has a special heart for those in need. There is an interest even in those who may have caused their own difficulty, such as the alcoholic, the drug addict or those who have oth er moral problems. Too often there are those who are willing to criti cize and kick the one who is down instead of seeking to alleviate his struggles. Because God has shown us mercy so we should be willing to share the gift with others, and not just with those whom we love or who are our friends. In the roster of gifts we find also the importance of giving. Some may be surprised to learn that this is listed as a gift. The Lord must put it into our hearts to realize that money and things should not grip us. There is always a need for those who will be generous with the Lord's work. Serving on a mission board I find we are constantly held back because of a lack of sufficient funds. Teaching here at Talbot The ological Seminary we know that the budget is always a constant concern. Needs are seen all over in the work of Christ. Paul says to do our giving in simplicity, without an outward show of grandiose piety. The final gift listed here is for the one who rules, that he might do it with diligence. Actually, to rule means to give aid. If you are in a leadership capacity then you have the responsibility to help others. We could rightly speak of Page 37
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker