Christian Writers Circle

Maturity in Christ through Spiritual Gifts
by Judy Hitson

I Peter 4: 10 NIV Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace.

As a puzzle has pieces that fit perfectly together, so Christ fits us perfectly together as members of His body with gifts and calling. His word says they are irrevocable, Rom. 11: 29.

Regarding maturity in Christ, I wrote about believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, receiving His Spirit, the importance of prayer, nourishment from milk and meat of God’s word and having the mind of Christ. Now let’s consider our Spiritual gifts.

In Maturity of Christ through God’s word, I asked three questions,

What is God’s calling on your life?
How has He gifted you in the body of Christ?
Have you considered your calling and gifts from God?

You may have an understanding of the gifts and calling God has given you, in which case, I commend you. You may have studied Spiritual gifts in the Bible and be familiar with the list of seven motivational gifts in Romans 12: 6-8 and the list of nine power or manifestation of gifts in I Corinthians 12: 8-10. These are excellent Scripture passages to ponder, to understand for our lives and to help other Christians understand. Peter talks about speaking and serving gifts, I Peter 4: 11. This perspective brought fresh revelation to my heart. It was during a small group Bible Study I did at a friend’s house when we studied the letters of Peter. At that time, I thought I understood my gifts and calling from God, only to discover, I had much more to learn. May my personal testimony of this revelation be helpful in your life regarding your gifts and calling from God.

One day, my friend asked if I would lead the study when the regular leader was not able to come. The Lord spoke clearly to me in my prayer time, reminding me of things I learned in a previous study about His gifts and calling in my life. The words of Peter came alive as the Holy Spirit revealed I had a speaking gift in prophecy and my friend had a serving gift in exhortation. We fit together perfectly. Whether ministering two by two or in a group, the revelation and understanding of our Spiritual gifts and calling magnified our places in the body of Christ to serve others as faithful stewards of God’s grace. The Lord formerly revealed my calling as a mother as I read Judges 5: 7b NASB Until I, Deborah, arose, Until I arose, a mother in Israel.  These words about came off the page to me. Within moments, a woman called to ask if I could watch her son when she returned to work part time. It was confirmation of my calling from God as a mother like His confirmation of my Spiritual gifts through Peter and my friend asking if I’d substitute leading the Bible study.

Come now before the Lord.  Prayerfully consider His calling and gifts in your life. Ask if He has any adjustments for you to serve others as a faithful steward of His grace. God arranged the parts of the body of Christ and placed you exactly where you fit. It is the perfect place for you. He wants you to understand, I Cor. 12: 1, 12-27.

Prayer: Father bless me to mature in Christ through Spiritual gifts and Your calling in my life to fulfill my God given destiny. Help me eagerly desire the greater gifts, the more excellent way, the way of love,
I Cor. 12:31; I Cor. 13-14. In the name of Jesus Christ and by Your Spirit. Amen.