2021-01-23
1 Korintiërs 12:14 NLV
Net soos jy nie die kleur van jou oë kan bepaal nie, kan jy nie jou geestelike gawes bepaal nie. Die Heilige Gees gee vir ons sy gawes ‘soos Hy dit goedvind’ (vers 11 NLV). Let drie dinge op:
1) Ons is verskillend van mekaar. ‘Ja, die liggaam bestaan nie net uit een lid nie, maar uit baie’ (vers 12 NLV). Hoekom is daar verskillende gawes? Omdat daar verskillende behoeftes is!
2) Ons is afhanklik van mekaar. Al die dele moet saamwerk voordat daar ‘n gesonde liggaam kan wees wat behoorlik funksioneer. Paulus skryf: ‘Die oog kan nie vir die hand sê: ‘Ek kan sonder jou klaarkom’ nie. En op sy beurt kan die kop nie vir die voete sê: ‘Ek kan sonder jou klaarkom’ nie’ (vers 21 NLV). Nie net is elke lid van die liggaam ewe nodig nie, hulle is ook ewe belangrik. Sommige van ons is verbaal sterk en ander is stil. Sommige is dinamies en ander is rustig. Sommige is leiers en ander volgelinge. Dit maak nie saak wie die krediet kry nie, solank as wat die werk gedoen word en God die glorie kry.
3) Ons moet aan mekaar toegewyd wees. ‘…God het dus ons liggaam so kunstig saamgestel dat daardie liggaamsdele wat eer kortkom, juis dubbele eer kry. Gevolglik heers daar harmonie in ons liggaam en al die liggaamsdele sorg saam vir mekaar. As een lid swaarkry, kry al die lede saam swaar, en as een lid vereer word, juig al die lede saam. Julle is Christus se liggaam en elkeen van julle is ‘n noodsaaklike liggaamsdeel’ (verse 24-27 NLV).
Sielskos: Jes 17-21; Matt 9:27-38; Ps 96; Spr 3:5-6
1 Corinthians 12:14 NIV
A couple of days ago, we read that ‘the Spirit decides what to give each person’ (v.11 NCV). As well as recognising our own gifts, we should try to recognise gifts in others too. Here are three things we need to remember:
1) We are different from each other. ‘A body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body’ (v.12 NIV). There are different gifts because there are different needs. If we all had all the spiritual gifts, we’d soon lose focus and be overwhelmed by everything we felt we should be doing. Having different gifts means we can know where we fit in and stay focused on our God-given assignment.
2) We are dependent on each other. It takes every part working together to have a healthy body that will function properly. Paul writes: ‘The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!”‘ (v.21 NIV). Every part of the body is equally needed and equally important. It’s the same in the body of Christ. Some of us are verbal and some of us are quiet. Some are laid back and some are dynamic. Some prefer to lead and some prefer to follow. Some are introverts and some are extroverts. But all of us are equally needed and equally important.
3) We are to be devoted to each other. ‘God has put the body together…so that there should be no division…but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honoured, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each of you is a part of it’ (v.24-27 NIVUK).
Isa 17-21; Matt 9:27-38; Ps 96; Prov 3:5-6
2021-01-22
Romans 12:6 NIV
Don’t say, “I’m of no use to God,” or “I’m not needed in the church,” or “There’s no way God could use me.” You are gifted by God! You are called to use your gift to bless others, build up the church, and display His kingdom to a watching world. “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised” (1 Peter 4:10-11 NIV).
Every Christian is a minister, and has a ministry. The ministry of the church is to be carried out as individual believers exercise their spiritual gifts in ministering to one another. And to the extent that you don’t exercise your spiritual gift, you hinder the ministry of your church.
And since the Holy Spirit decides which particular gift each of us receives, there’s no place for jealousy and competitiveness. Paul writes: “For who makes you different from anyone else? [obviously, the answer is God!] What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?” (1 Corinthians 4:7 NIV).
Each of us is gifted differently, and each of us is gifted perfectly. The Holy Spirit in His divine wisdom has given to each of us the precise gift, or gifts that will enable us to function most effectively in the body of Christ. So start using your gift today!
Soul food: Isa 12-16; Matt 9:14-26; Ps 91; Prov 3:3-4
Romeine 12:6 NLV
Moenie sê: ‘Ek is van geen nut vir God nie,’ of ‘Ek word nie by die kerk benodig nie,’ of ‘Daar is nie ‘n manier wat God my sal kan gebruik nie.’ God het vir jou gawes gegee! Jy is geroep om jou gawes te gebruik om ander te seën, die kerk op te bou en sy koninkryk vir ‘n wêreld wat ons dophou, voor te hou. ‘…Met hierdie gawes moet julle mekaar dien sodat God se ryk en onverdiende goedheid deur julle na mekaar toe kan vloei.
Het jy die gawe ontvang om te preek? Dan moet jy só preek dat Gód deur jou praat. Het jy die gawe ontvang om ander te dien? Doen dit met die krag en energie wat Gód gee. Só moet God verheerlik word…’ (1 Petrus 4:10-11 NLV).
Elke Christen is ‘n dominee met ‘n bediening. Die bediening van die kerk moet deur individuele gelowiges uitgedra word soos hulle hulle geestelike gawes beoefen deur mekaar te bedien. As jy nie jou geestelike gawe uitoefen nie, verhoed jy jou kerk se bediening.
Aangesien die Heilige Gees besluit watter spesifieke gawes elkeen van ons ontvang, is daar dus nie plek vir jaloesie of mededinging nie. Paulus skryf: ‘Wat maak jou beter as enige ander gelowige? Wat het jy wat God nie aan jou gegee het nie? En as dit dan aan jou gegee is, hoe spog jy dan asof jy op eie houtjie presteer het?’ (1 Korintiërs 4:7 NLV).
Elkeen van ons het verskillende gawes ontvang en elkeen van ons het die perfekte gawes ontvang. Die Heilige Gees het in sy goddelike wysheid vir elkeen van ons die presiese gawes gegee wat ons in staat stel om die effektiefste in die liggaam van Christus te funksioneer. Begin dus vandag jou gawe gebruik!
Sielskos: Jes 12-16; Matt 9:14-26; Ps 91; Spr 3:3-4
