Foundations of Faith
SPIRITUAL GIFTS (III)
George and Mary Smith just experienced a horrible tragedy. A tornado whipped through their neighborhood, demolishing their house and car, killing their baby daughter Stephanie, and leaving both of them with serious injuries. To make matters worse, George had been out of work for several months and had no health insurance and only partial home and auto insurance. Worse still, he had ignored the warning siren that might at least have preserved Stephanie’s life and kept them from being injured. Because of this, George fell into a deep depression and wished he had died too. Mary grieved greatly over the loss of her daughter.
However, George and Mary’s fellow believers in the local church quickly moved into action. Brother Armstrong organized a group who sifted through the debris for valuables and then cleared away the rubble. Brother Holmes organized and directed a team that built a new house.
Sister S. immediately recognized the great need and anonymously donated $20,000 from her retirement fund to help with the funeral, hospital, and home refurnishing expenses. Sister McCandless spent many hours with Mary, talking, listening, praying, sympathizing, reading the Scriptures, organizing, and decorating as she helped Mary both to work through her grief and to get her life, body, and new home in order.
Even after George and Mary recovered from their injuries and moved into their new house, George went into seclusion, so ashamed and depressed was he over his negligence in his daughter’s death. But Brother Barnaby visited him several times and shared how the Lord had lifted him up from his own failures on a number of occasions. Brother Barnaby encouraged George in the Lord (1 Sam. 30:6) and exhorted him to resume his responsibilities at home, at work, and in the local assembly.
This scenario illustrates the use of several gifts of the spirit.
“He who rules, with diligence” (Rom. 12:8). “God has set some in the church … governments” (1 Cor. 12:28). Many activities and ministries of the local church are carried out by individuals, such as the work of a pastor, teacher, or evangelist (although these all surely need the prayer support of the rest of the congregation). But matters come up that involve a more united effort or the involvement of the entire assembly. Examples include such things as (1) planning to paint or repair the building; (2) disciplining a sinning brother or sister; or (3) planning a conference, vacation Bible school, or summer camp. One with the gift of ruling or government will typically be the one who takes the lead in organizing such group efforts. In our story above, Brothers Armstrong and Holmes may have had such a gift.
The same word “rule” is used in connection with those who carry out the work of an elder or overseer and the work of a deacon (1 Thess. 5:12; 1 Tim. 3:4,5,12; 5:17; see Nov98); thus its application clearly includes dealing with spiritual problems and helping the assembly to make decisions.
“He who gives, let him do it with simplicity” (Rom. 12:8). All Christians at times give of themselves, their time, and their money to help others. But some are especially gifted in this area. They are very sensitive to the financial and material needs of others and are quick to meet those needs. They do not complicate and delay their giving by asking whether or how they can get a tax deduction out of it. They “do it with simplicity.” If one wishes to borrow from them, they give without expecting to be repaid (Luke 6:30-35). Sister S. in the story above may have had the gift of giving. The Lord is faithful in replenishing the funds of the giver so that the one so gifted may be able to give to others in need. (See Assignment 3)
“He who shows mercy, with cheerfulness” (Rom. 12:8). One with the gift of mercy does not say, “I am sorry you are having so much trouble; let me know if there is anything I can do.” Rather, he/she says, “I am sorry you are having so much trouble; would it be convenient for me to bring over supper tonight? or would tomorrow night be better?” When we see a car with its hood up and a man or woman standing helplessly beside it, we may think, “I really feel sorry for that person,” and then drive right on by. However, the person with the gift of mercy will not only feel sorry for those in distress, but will stop and help them (see Jan94). Sister McCandless in the story above probably had the gift of showing mercy.
“He who exhorts, on exhortation” (Rom. 12:8). Exhorting is one of the features of prophesying (1 Cor. 14:3; see Jan99). However, it is important enough in its own right to be mentioned separately, even though the gift of prophecy is mentioned two verses earlier. An example of an exhortation is found at the beginning of the chapter:”I beseech [or exhort] you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice … unto God” (Rom. 12:1).
The exhorter finds himself in good company. The words “exhort” and “exhortation” are closely related to the words “Comforter” used of the Holy Spirit (John 14:16,26; 15:26; 16:7) and “Advocate” used of the Lord Jesus (1 John 2:1). A comforter or advocate is literally one who is called to one’s side to help. The Holy Spirit, not merely at our side but dwelling in us, seeks always as “the Comforter” to direct our heart and thoughts to the Lord Jesus (John 16:14,15). Jesus Christ, as our “Advocate with the Father,” seeks to restore the sinning saint to full fellowship with God the Father.
Just so, the work of the exhorter is especially that of restoring the sinning, backsliding, wandering, or discouraged believer back to communion with the Lord and the joy of God’s salvation (Psa. 51:12). The exhorter does not do this by shouting harsh words at the sinner. Rather he goes to the sinner’s side and gently, humbly, and earnestly ministers Christ to him through the Scriptures.
In the story above, Brother Barnaby displayed the gift of exhorting. This gift seems to be implied in the following verse:”Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, you who are spiritual restore such a one in the spirit of meekness” (Gal. 6:1).
Running the Race
Assignment 3: Write out a verse in Proverbs 11 that supports the last statement.