When a born-again believer operates in their God-given spiritual or ministry gifts, there is a grace (a supernatural ability) that accompanies the work of the ministry. For the Lord said “the gifts of God are done with ease.” A child of God being in their rightful place in Christ FLOWs; what they say or do is effortless because it is of God, gifted and given by the Spirit of God. So why is it like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole in fulfilling what we are to do in Christ? Why do most in the church stress and strain in carrying out what’s asked of them?
There are many reasons for this; one being (for the most part) the church is not functioning according to God’s placement of the members in “the Body of Christ.” First Corinthians 12th chapter lays the foundation of how God expects “the Body of Christ” to operate based on the spiritual gifts “He” has given those that are in Christ. Chapter 12 emphasizes the diversity of gifts given by the same Spirit (the Spirit of God). Also, differences in ministries, yet these ministries are of the same Lord. Moreover, it is God operating in all the gifts and ministries by His Spirit. Therefore, the spiritual / ministry gifts not only are at work, they WORK because God is manifesting His supernatural power and ability through His people. A key verse in chapter 12 is verse 18 that states; “But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the Body just as He pleased (NKJV).” The King James Version says; “But now hath God set the members every one of them in the Body, as it hath pleased Him.” Problem is, the people of God are not in their proper place; most often, they are not set in place by God. Instead, members are placed by man.
Most born-again believers are not functioning in their spiritual and ministry gifts (at least not within the denomination I’ve been in). It’s my observation and experience at some point that church leadership, such as pastors and bishops place people in positions to line up with their vision. Sadly, it’s not God’s vision and the supernatural power is either void or lost over time; while the people of God sit on the pew from one week to the next faithfully and die spiritually. Most do not even experience the blessed life that Father has for his people. This is because members are requested to carry out ministries that require human ingenuity which are more natural by nature vs supernatural. Oftentimes, man’s vision is community-focused based on natural needs that are obvious in the natural sense; not realizing if God’s vision is honored, it will heal the community. Anyway, this can lead to being void of “the Spirit” because man’s plan tend to require effort of the flesh, reaping limited results. In addition, people are often taken out of their comfort zone; because what is requested of them is not in line with their spiritual or ministry gifts, the work is “natural” vs spiritual. That said, it’s like forcing a square peg into a round hole; the ability or grace is just not there to accomplish what they have been given to do. Many of God’s people experience fatigue or burnout, frustration and discouragement because what is asked of them is opposite of their true identity in Christ. Unlike what God gives a person to do; it is life-giving, energized by the Spirit and life of God within them. Moreover, there is not only power, the joy of the Lord accompanies the operation of one’s spiritual / ministry gifts. For it’s like Jesus, Himself in action. When a born-again believer operates in their God-given spiritual or ministry gifts, there is a grace that accompanies the work of the ministry. For the Lord said “the gifts of God are done with ease.” Furthermore, God is making a clarion call saying; “everybody in their proper place! With that place comes power, protection and provision!” Power, being the grace or ability to function in their GOD-GIVEN spiritual/ ministry gifts. A child of God in their rightful place in Christ FLOWs; what they say or do is effortless because it is of God, gifted and given by the Spirit of God.
If it is not given by God, the ability or grace will not be there to carry out or operate properly in whatever it is. Again, it will be like forcing a square peg into a round hole. We are spiritual and it will be too natural; a disconnection from the inner life within us.
For example, in the human body the eye does not have the ability to taste like the tongue; the liver does not possess the capacity to hear like the ear; the bladder will not pump blood like the heart; no more than a member in “the Body of Christ” has the power to operate properly outside of what God has ordain for them. “But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills,” (1st Corinthians 12:11, NKJV). The King James Version reads; “But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man (or woman) severally as He will,” (1st Corinthians 12:11). In this verse the word severally in the Greek means pertaining to self, one’s own, private or separate, apart. In other words, that which is unique, distinct and distinguishes one from another’s. A gift given by God that is befitting according to a person’s ability and character He knows right well.
It is my prayer that all of us in Christ Jesus come into the knowledge of our true identity in Christ. Unfortunately, the majority of the people of God do not know who they are in God; nor are they aware of their spiritual /ministry gifts. That is sad, yet true. Both leadership and those of us in Christ Jesus are at fault. Too, each of us, including leadership will have to give an account of if we have done what the Lord has given us to do. Whether it is taking ownership to cultivate a relationship with Jesus; or if those in positions held back others by having influence as a leader in fulfilling their vision.
Jesus came that everyone can have a personal relationship with “the Father” through Him. Therefore, whosoever accepts Him into their heart as their Lord and Savior has the opportunity to discover their identity in Him by spending time with the Lord in prayer and the reading of God’s Word. Just like a healthy, loving parent affirms who their children are according to their unique personality and abilities; in like manner our heavenly Father does the same. Moreover, Jesus by His Spirit, confirms who we are and what we have in Him because it bears witness with our spirit by the ease and flow of which we operate; it’s a perfect match; whatever we do it is just so us (if I can say it like that). Again, the joy of the Lord accompanies our spiritual /ministry gifts, because it is Jesus’ and it is Him operating in and through us. “The gifts of God are done with ease;” says the Lord. Furthermore, God is making a clarion call- God said; “everybody in their proper place! With that proper place comes power (which is the grace or ability to function), protection and provision.” To conclude, our heavenly Father’s desire is for us to experience the blessed life His Son came to give us, this side of heaven. Let us pursue our true identity in Christ for such a time as this.
Until next time, God bless you
Sis Bea
/* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:”Table Normal”; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:””; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:8.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:107%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:”Calibri”,sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:”Times New Roman”; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
"The Clarion Call 3" 