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Imparted Gifts

Yesterday we discussed our need for God’s grace to empower us beyond our natural ability. In the same way that grace empowers us, there are unique capabilities we receive from God to equip us to accomplish our specific mission? 

Allow me to answer with several examples. Roger Federer could never have become one of the world’s greatest tennis players if he had no access to a tennis racquet. The finest woodworking craftsman in the city would never have been discovered if he had no tools. You would never have known who Michelangelo was if he never had access to a chisel, brush, or paint. 

Is the same true for our divine callings?

Yes! Peter writes, “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (1 Peter 4:10 NKJV). Much is revealed in this one statement, so we should examine it carefully. Notice that Peter writes “each one” has received a gift. It’s important up front to point out that he didn’t say “each minister,” “each pastor,” “each worship leader,” or any other oracle ministry gift, but rather “each one.” 

If you are born again, you have a gift or gifts that have been imparted and entrusted to you. These gifts were either given at birth or later, through impartation by God’s Spirit. In regard to these different gifts, Paul informs, “Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body” (Romans 12:4). 

It’s simple but quite revealing, when you consider your own body. Think about it; our fingers can do things our nose cannot do. Our nose can do things our ears cannot do. Our ears can do things our stomach cannot do. Our stomach can do things our liver cannot do, and the list goes on. 

We, too, are one body in Christ and members individually. And that’s why each of us must accept and embrace our unique giftings. So, here’s the main point: Happy and blessed is the person who knows their gifts and operates in them. Miserable and stressed is the person who tries to operate in someone else’s gifts.