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THE BEHAVIOUR OF THE BELIEVER

At church

Romans chapter 12: 3-8

God gave Paul the grace to be a minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles (Romans 15:15, Galatians 2:9); it is in the exercise of this ministry, that he instructs us with the authority of Christ the various commands that follow:

First, he exhorts us to be modest, and never to have a concept of ourselves higher than necessary, but to be wise with respect to our own importance, just as God provided a measure of faith for each one.

There is a human tendency to be ambitious, to strive to reach positions of highest importance. Some positions in the church are coveted for giving importance to those who occupy them, and it is not rare to find someone who does not want to serve in humbler positions because he considers himself worthy of better positions. Positions are created with important names to satisfy the self-love of those who will occupy them. There are even those who refuse to participate in a work, if not as president ... By adopting this attitude, they are disobeying this command.

It must be acknowledged that each of us is destined to occupy a place in the house of God, and we must be content with this place chosen for us, to better develop our spiritual gifts and optimize our service to God. Faith is a gift from God, who distributes it according to His will, and we gain nothing by envying those who have more than we do.

As an example, Paul uses the human body, which has many parts but each has a specific function for which it was intended, and all the body's operations, its well-being and health, depend on the correct function of each part.

In this way there is unity in the church for it is as one body, and diversity for we are many and individually different, yet interdependent, being members of one another.

The gifts given to us (the word "gifts" comes from a Greek word whose origin is translated "grace") should not and cannot be used in a selfish way just for our personal gain, but for the benefit of the entire body of the church. No gift is self-sufficient or unnecessary. When we realize this, we will be able to think soberly about our own importance.

God gives men to the church, who in turn received gifts from Him of prophecy, teaching, etc... In addition, each church member receives at least one gift and a function for using it. These gifts are different, but that does not mean that some did not receive any. Each member should use whatever gift he has for the proper functioning of the church. When used, its effectiveness as a blessing to others and its constructive use for the church will be verified, and upon such proof, the Holy Spirit gives His confirmation.

Then some of these services are singled out:

1. “Prophecy" here does not concern predictions about the future, but  the transmission of any message from God, based on His Word. Prophecy is made "in proportion to our faith": the word "faith" encompasses all the doctrines and teachings and revelations found in the Word of God, namely, the Evangelical faith. It does not refer to our particular faith, but simply to "faith" which is of all. Thus, the prophet conveys the message of God that is found in His Word as far as he knows it (before the completion of the "faith" with the books of the New Testament, there were prophets in the churches to instruct them as we read in Romans 10:8, Colossians 2:7, Titus 1:9, Ephesians 2:20).
2. "Ministry" has a broad sense of "service" to the Lord. It is not restricted to the sense of "ministry of the Word", much less the exercise of a profession of clergyman as it is usual in many denominations. The gift of ministry ranges from cleaning and preparing the venue for meetings, distributing hymnals, receiving and welcoming visitors, to visitation, preaching the Gospel in a room or outdoors, the performance of baptisms and many more. All who exercise ministry, whatever the service, must do so with "dedication”, "as to the Lord and not to men" (Ephesians 6:7, Colossians 3:23). Peter also commands: "if any man minister, minister with the strength God provides, so that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen” (1 Peter 4:11 b). In all forms of Christian service, as well as other activities in life, there are many tasks that some find distasteful. It is needless to say, that we try to avoid this work. In Colossians 3:23 we learn that the most humble service, such as that of a slave, can be honoured and glorified for being done to the Lord. In this sense, there is no difference between "secular" or "sacred." Everything is holy! The rewards in heaven will not be given for pre-eminence or for apparent successes: they are given not so much because of talents received and opportunities taken, but for the demonstrated faithfulness to the Lord. The most obscure believers will do very well that day, if they have fulfilled their duties faithfully to the Lord.
3. "Teaching": a teacher, besides dedicating himself to a deeper study of the Bible, and knowing  the need of his students, makes himself able to explain God's word and to apply it to the hearts of his listeners.
4.  "Exhorting": that is to stimulate, encourage and persuade someone, a group of people or a church to give up all forms of evil and move on to new achievements in holiness and service to Christ. Unfortunately, some which do not have this gift do the opposite, and thinking that they are exhorting, they discourage their listeners with continuous rebukes and harsh words about their behaviour, without the compassion expected of a servant of God, nor indicating the right path to follow to reach a laudable aim. This requires "dedication."
5. "Sharing": this is about money and material goods. A Christian must not cling to the things of this world, but remember that everything he has belongs to God. Generosity is a gift of God, which leads a person to become aware of the needs of his brothers and get involved to help meet them. He should act as a steward, using everything that he has in the best possible way for the glory of his Lord (Luke 16:1-12). So he should contribute to the work of the Lord "with liberality."
6. "Presiding" this is the gift of leadership, especially that which is exercised by participating in the oversight of a church, but also in the enterprises they are involved in for the glory of God, whether within it or in collaboration with other churches and with other brethren. We suggest Sunday School, coordinated Gospel preaching and teaching through literature, radio, television, internet and other collective activities that require leadership. This service to God must be done "with diligence".
7. "Showing mercy”:  mercy is one of the wonderful attributes of God, He is "is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us …" (Ephesians 2:4), and “…according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead…" (1 Peter 1:3). Regenerated, we become the spiritual children of God who gave us life, and as such, the Lord taught: “… be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful…" (Luke 6:36). However, our old nature, egocentric, wants justice for itself, and is vindictive when not receiving what it considers its due. This gift must be exercised “with joy", even when it is painful and requires humility and self-sacrifice.  

 

R David Jones

 

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Rom 12:3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rom 12:4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function,
Rom 12:5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.

Rom 12:6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith;
Rom 12:7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching;
Rom 12:8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

Romans chapter 12, verses 3 to 8