Humility, Exercise and Love

This morning I am reflecting on some verses from Paul's letter to the Romans.  His letters are always full of such thought provoking and rich language.  Here are the verses for today - Romans 12:3-13 NIV:

[3] "For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. [4] For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, [5] so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. [6] We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; [7] if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; [8] if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully."

[9] "Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. [10] Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. [11] Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. [12] Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. [13] Share with the Lord's people who are in need. Practice hospitality."

What a wonderful encouragement for maturity - think of yourself with sober judgment, not more highly than you ought.  I think we all want to be that one person, that is special and unique and recognized and appreciated by all.  We desire greatness, but the Lord's call is to humility, to sober or right thinking, in the midst of His greatness.  We are all members of a single body, His, and as such we belong to and are connected to each other.  We are meant to be balanced and healthy in our role(s) and relationship(s), recognizing that everything we have is the result of His grace and mercy.

We are called and invited to put into practice our gifts, and as fellow members of the Body of Christ, we should encourage this in everyone, not just the pastoral team or leaders.  We all belong to each other, and we all need everyone functioning and practicing their gifts.  The Lord didn't give them to us to have them sit on the shelf, but rather to build up, strengthen and encourage the whole of the Body of Christ (Eph 4:12-13). Paul writes in his first letter to the 1 Corinthians 12:7 NIV: "Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good." He is speaking of the same gifts that he listed above, and specifically says they are given for the common good.  In other words we all benefit when gifts are exercised.

Secondly, we don't need to wait for permission to exercise these gifts.  God gave us these gifts for everyone's common good, including ours, so why do we wait to exercise them?  His gifting is indicative of His will and purpose, and there is no higher authority.  I figure that if God has given me the gift, He intends for me to enjoy it and practice it. I pray that we, in the Body of Christ, might learn how to release all into their giftings, for it is for our benefit.

Finally, just as Paul writes in his famous love passage to the Church in Corinth, he wraps these thoughts to the Church in Rome with the covering of love.  Love each other with sincerity and devotion.  We are commanded to love one another by the Lord (John 13:34), and Paul is just reiterating that command. Love is not an option. The Greek word that Paul uses in verse nine is 'anupokritos' and it means unfeigned, undisguised, sincere.  In other words, it is not just an act, not something that is a portrayal.

I am reminded of God's statement through Isaiah, where His diagnosis of the people is that their worship is words only, but their hearts are far from Him (Isaiah 29:14).  Our love for each other must be more than just words, but me be real, full of action.  As John writes, "Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth." (1 John 3:18 NIV).  We should join together and be joyful in hope, patient in affliction and faithful in prayer, helping one another, especially those in need and being hospitable on every occasion.  We should encourage each othe to exercise that which they have been given, and seek to build up the Body of Christ.  We should embrace our gifts, our relationships and our role and extend love to all!

Amen!!