Dear Lighthouse,

            Did you know that as a child of God you are ready for service in the Kingdom?  II Tim. 3:16-17 states that, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 

            We are equipped.  Our knowledge of Scripture alone equips us for service to the King.  But not only that, no, we who have been saved by the powerful work of Jesus Christ have also been given the Holy Spirit.  Acts 2:38 makes that clear, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.  And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”  This is the Spirit of God, His divine nature.  His Presence actually lives within the believer and marks us as God’s for the time of Judgment to come (Eph. 1:13).

            So we have the Truth revealed in the Word and we have the Presence of God living within us.  As if this wasn’t enough, God has given us yet another gift to thoroughly equip us.  Through our Lord we have been given spiritual gifts to be used for service to His glory.  Each believer has been given what you could call “special abilities” by virtue of being endowed with the Spirit (I Cor. 12:7). 

            The questions often arise: What are these gifts?  Which one(s) do I have?  There are several “lists” of spiritual gifts.  Here is a quick listing of the major sections:

Rom 12:6-8

I Cor. 12:8-10; 12:28; 13:1-3; 13:8; 14:6; 14:26

Eph. 4:11

I Peter 4:9-11

            In these passages we find several different kinds of gifts that believers have and share.  They include prophecy, knowledge, faith, speaking in tongues, revelation, teaching, interpretation of tongues, hospitality, showing mercy, and on and on.  But the thing that is central in all these gifts is that they all come from one Spirit – the Spirit of the one true, and living God (Eph. 4:4-6).  “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit.  There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.  There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.  Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.”  (I Cor. 12:4-7)

            If you have trouble knowing which gift may be present in your life then I would suggest examining your service to date and think about what areas of service interest you.  Pray to God for direction and guidance in this area.  He will help you find your strengths.

            I have encountered many Christians, especially new believers in the faith, that seem to think they have no role or duty.  More than that they think they are not ready for service or ill-equipped to do anything for God.  So, they wait, and they wait, and they grow old sitting in the pews and never achieve what they were called to do – bear fruit!  I challenge you to consider what you were called to do as a disciple of the Lord.  Paul stresses it this way, “I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.”  (Eph. 4:1)  How are you living your life these days?

            Don’t misunderstand.  Your salvation is not determined by your works or your busyness in service.  No, your position in Christ was taken care of by Christ Himself.  What I am challenging all of us to evaluate is our quality of life in the faith.  Serving the Lord and being a part of His Kingdom working out on Earth is exciting.  It is a thrill to see the Hand of God move in people’s lives calling them to repentance, growth, and maturity.  It is a joy to serve alongside fellow brothers and sisters who are making a spiritual difference in a fallen world.  This is the spice of a Spirit-filled life.  This is what makes the waiting for Jesus’ return bearable.

            It is my own personal belief that those who walk closer to God, being in harmonious step with His Spirit, experience a fuller, richer life.  Their spiritual gifts seem to be stronger and are certainly used more by them as they serve.  I think of the Apostles and their lives.  We can see how the Spirit flowed through them powerfully.  Think of Peter making is appeal to the people in Acts 2; Stephen speaking with boldness in Acts 6 & 7, Peter in the house of Cornelius in Acts 10, Paul’s conversion & mission trips in Acts 13-28, and John’s revelation of the times to come in the Book of Revelation.  Even today we all know of fellow brothers and sisters who seem “really spiritual”.  But I hold out to you that this can be you.  Don’t settle for admiring the way another individual walks in step with the Spirit – strive for it yourself.  Get in step yourself! (Gal. 5:25)

            Paul teaches us that, “It was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”  (Eph. 4:11-13) 

What, then, were you called for?  Have you even considered it?  Scripture says we all have a function and we are all equipped.  I challenge you to consider this week what role you will play in the Kingdom.  And please, PLEASE, don’t let excuses get in the way of your service. 

Got kids that divide your time?  Me too.  Bring them along as fellow-workers in your service and growth.  Got car payments or house payments that cause you to work a lot?  Me too.  Then be an evangelist at work and a good steward of your money as you grow and follow the Master.  Got persecution, trials, temptations, and weaknesses?  Me too.  Do you think the Prophets, Apostles, and great heroes of old were exempt?  No, they served God in spite of the barriers.

            That’s all I’m saying – bear fruit in keeping with the Spirit you have received (Matt. 3:8).  You are called to, but do it because of Him who does the calling.  He bore the cross so we can bear the message. 

Being a soldier in the service of the King is a wonderful privilege.  Don’t waste it.  I challenge us all to stop sacrificing the eternal on the altar of the immediate.  My fellow brothers and sisters, let’s take on the world; let’s start by tapping into the resources God has placed within each of us.  Let’s start today.

Serving Him with you all,

Evan