KNOW
YOUR CALLING
Memorise
Let
every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.
1 Corinthians 7:20
Read
1 Corinthians 12:1-7
1 Now
concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.
2 Ye know
that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.
3 Wherefore I
give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus
accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy
Ghost.
4 Now there
are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
5 And there
are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
6 And there
are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
7 But the
manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
Message
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, wrote to tell us
in today’s Bible reading that he would not want us to be ignorant of the truth
concerning our calling as children and workers in the vineyard. It is needless
to emphasise the danger of ignorance as stated in Hosea 4:6. Our Lord Jesus
Christ also emphasised the importance of knowing the truth for perfect freedom
when in John 8:32 He said:
“And
ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
In other words, falsehood can hold people captive!
In Proverbs 22:29, we read that a man who is diligent in business shall stand
before kings. In what business did the Bible refer to? In his own business of
course! What happens if a person is found in other people’s business? No doubt,
it will be an exercise in futility or an unprofitable venture. You have to be
diligent in your own business, which is where you will be rewarded. The Bible
in Songs of Solomon 1:6 says:
“…my
mother’s children were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards;
but mine own vineyard have I not kept.”
Take to heart the following lessons from today’s
Bible reading. First, it is possible for Christians to be ignorant of facts
about spiritual gifts. Secondly, there are many gifts in the body of Christ,
but no one can or should lay claim to having all of the gifts. Thirdly, it is
the Holy Spirit who distributes gifts to every believer as He chooses.
Fourthly, as there are differences in administration of the gifts, so also is
there division of labour among those these gifts are administered to. A
believer should therefore beware of arrogating all the activities in the Church
to himself because it will be counter-productive. Fifth, though there are
differences in operations from believer to believer, the same Holy Spirit works
in all genuine believers. Sixth, the Holy Spirit gives different assignments to
different believers to profit with. This means the gift is for the edification
of the entire Body of Christ. It is not for the fun of it that believers are
endowed with one gift or another; neither is it for self-gratification. The
seventh lesson is that no gift is superior to another; neither is any inferior
to another. For this reason, Paul further wrote to warn us against
discriminating in the use of spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:15-17).
Therefore beloved, let us work together as many members, but as one indivisible
Body of Christ, with everyone playing his or her role as enabled by the Lord.
We shall not miss our reward in Jesus’ Name.
Action
Point
Examine your life and find out what area of the
ministry the Lord as endowed you with gifts for. Dedicate yourself and be
diligent in it.
BIBLE
IN ONE YEAR
1 Samuel 1-2
Proverbs 2:20-3:12
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