The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 NLT, “There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us.”
The word “different” is used three times in that verse: different spiritual gifts, different ways of serving, different types of work to do.
We’re all called to serve God; we’re just called to serve Him in different ways. Don’t try to copy anybody else. Don’t try to be like anybody else. You’re unique. If you read a biography and think, “I wish I could pray like that,” don’t, because God didn’t make you to be that person. God made you to be you.
Knowing your spiritual gifts answers questions such as: “What’s God’s will for my life? What does God want me to do with my life? What kind of job or career should I have? What should be my ministry? What should be my mission in the world?” Spiritual gifts explain where you’re supposed to be headed. They shape your work.
Your gifts also show your worth. They show how valuable you are, because God put some valuable gifts in your life. You have value because of what God says about you, not because of what other people say about you. He says, “You’re My masterpiece. I’ve put some gifts in you, some heart, abilities, personality and experiences, and I want you to use them.” This shows your worth.
Every part of the body is needed. We’re all needed. Romans 12:5 TLB says, “We are all parts of it [Christ’s body], and it takes every one of us to make it complete.” Likewise, John 15:8 AMPC says, “When you bear (produce) much fruit, My Father is honored and glorified.”
When you use your gifts correctly, God gets the glory. When you don’t use them, God doesn’t. And you certainly can’t please God with gifts you don’t have. God doesn’t expect you to be talented or gifted at everything. He wants you to use what He has given you.
What if everybody said, “I know my gift, and I’m using my gift”? Can you imagine what kind of power and impact we would have on this world? I believe it would be unstoppable.
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Elton DeMoraes, D.Min, is president of the Texas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.
A version of this editorial appeared in the July/August 2022 issue of the Southwestern Union Record. You can find the online issues here.
