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Written by Abigail Adriana Loayza Becerra, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Cusco, Peru
Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. (Eph 4:15-16, NIV)
This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. (Jn 15:8)
How many times have we heard or said: "That's not my gift"?
We often say that when someone invites us to serve, to teach, to evangelize, or even just to listen. Without realizing it, that phrase becomes a shortcut to avoid commitment and an excuse not to participate in the mission that Jesus left us. It is true that God has given each of us different gifts. The Bible tells us that the body of Christ is made up of many parts and each one fulfills a different function: some teach, others encourage, others serve, others lead, others show mercy, etc., etc. And having different gifts does not mean that some believers are exempt from bearing fruit or making disciples.
Ephesians 4 explains that each member of the body contributes something indispensable to the Church. When each member uses the gifts God has given them, the body grows, becomes stronger, and reflects the love of Christ. The problem begins when we hide our talents behind phrases such as "that's not my gift," "I'm not good at that," or "it's better for someone else to do it." Many times, it is not a lack of capacity, but fear, comfort, insecurity, or lack of willingness.
Nor did Jesus say that only some should bear fruit. In John 15:8, He affirms that the Father is glorified when we bear much fruit and prove that we are His disciples. Bearing fruit doesn't just mean preaching from a pulpit. We bear fruit when we disciple someone, when we serve with joy, when we show hospitality, when we listen to those who need comfort, when we manage our resources well, or use our abilities to bless others.
The gifts God gives us are not for our own benefit, but for the edification and growth of the Church so that others may know Christ. Every gift, every talent can be a tool to spread the Kingdom of God. Many times, we expect to feel prepared to serve, but if we are willing to use the gifts God gave us, even if we feel unprepared, He will empower us as we act in obedience (like Moses, Deborah, Gideon, and many more).
Maybe your gift is teaching, singing, encouraging, evangelizing, organizing, cooking, writing, listening, administering, etc. No gift is too small when it is used with love, willingness, and above all, with the intention of glorifying God. One of the most important things is that we do not go around comparing gifts, but instead that we focus on being faithful to God with the gifts He has entrusted to us.
When we stop making excuses and serve willingly and intentionally, and when each member decides to take the place God has prepared for them, we discover that God can do more than we can imagine. We will see lives transformed, we will see the Church grow, we will see people being strengthened. Let us not allow the phrase "that is not my gift" to prevent us from obeying Christ's call for us, but let us instead ask ourselves, "How can I use what God has already placed in my hands to bear fruit and make disciples?" In the end, we may not be remembered for the gifts we had, but rather for our faithfulness in using them for the glory of God.
What gift, talent, or ability has God given you that you may have been putting aside out of fear or excuses, and how can you begin to intentionally use it to bear fruit and make disciples this week?
Written by Michelle J. Goff, Founder and Executive Director of Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Arkansas
“No, you don’t have to truly die to all of your old life…” “You can just give God this one area of your life and hold back the others…”
If the enemy can keep us deceived and distracted, our growth is stunted. We are cut off from the True Vine, and we no longer bear fruit.
God longs to bring about growth in our lives, but the growth must begin with death. Those who have been united with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection through baptism, have accepted the gracious gift of new life in Him (Ro 6:1-4).
As with a seed, our spiritual walk begins with death.
Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. (Jn 12:24).
23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.24 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. 25 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? (Lk 9:23-25)
The “daily” facet of Jesus’ invitation is a challenge for me. Do I daily die to myself, my needs and desires, to seek His Kingdom and His righteousness? What excuses do I allow to derail me from my primary purpose to remain in the Vine, to love God and love others?
Using one of my mom’s favorite words, there is a “plethora” of excuses or lies I accept. I allow them to become hindrances to my own growth and the process of fruit bearing. Today, we are going to call out some familiar lies or excuses and replace them with truth.
To do so, we will use a Lie/Truth Chart from Who Has the Last Word? Cutting through Satan’s Lies with the Truth of God’s Word. First, we Recognize the Lie in our own words. Then, we Replace that Lie with Truth, again, in our own words. These are the first two columns. The last column is for Remembering the Truth through a specific Bible verse or passage of Scripture.
|
RECOGNIZE the Lie |
REPLACE the Lie with Truth (in your own words) |
REMEMBER the Truth |
|
You can keep doing <distracting activity>. There will be time later to read your Bible, pray, encourage a friend, reach out to a neighbor… |
Doing <distracting activity> is keeping me from doing and being what God has given me the opportunity for today. |
“But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” (Heb 3:13) |
|
I just can’t do what it takes to remain in the Vine. I know the list of things I’m supposed to do, but is it even worth it? |
To remain or abide in the Vine is to invest in a relationship with the One who loves me perfectly and created me to grow in Him. |
““As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.” (Jn 15:9) |
|
Fruit bearing is frustrating and exhausting work that is not worth the effort. |
Remaining in God’s love, bearing fruit as He designed, is the ultimate source of complete joy. Even when I’m tired, God will help me find a way to do good. |
“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” (Jn 15:11) “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Gal 6:9) |
|
I am all alone. No one around me is striving to bear fruit or remain in the Vine. |
Satan wants me to feel alone and compare myself to others. God has gifted me with a body of believers that face the same struggles. |
“We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise.” (2Co 10:12) |
The examples I have listed barely scratch the surface of the excuses the devil uses to deter us from Kingdom work and Kingdom blessings. In Christ, we can put all the accuser’s lies to death—the kind of death that brings life and later bears fruit.
What excuses does the accuser bring to your mind that you want to replace with truth? What lie does he use to invade your thoughts and distract you from bearing fruit?
The examples I have listed barely scratch the surface of the excuses the devil uses to deter us from Kingdom work and Kingdom blessings. In Christ, we can put all the accuser’s lies to death—the kind of death that brings life and later bears fruit.
What excuses does the accuser bring to your mind that you want to replace with truth? What lie does he use to invade your thoughts and distract you from bearing fruit?
