Ephesians 4:7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. 8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. 11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.
This passage of scripture teaches us that spiritual gifts are given to everyone who has ever accepted Christ as Lord and Savior, and the gifts are distributed according to our several capacities and abilities. According to this passage, there is no such thing as a Christian without a spiritual gift, and thus it rests with us to find out what those gifts are, so that they may be used in the up-building of God's kingdom, and for the benefit of humanity.
Now there are those who may think that they are left out of the distribution of gifts, because they cannot preach, teach, or work miracles through the power of Christ. But according to the scriptures, the qualification for preaching the gospel does not necessarily come from an institution of learning, for there are many theologians who have graduated with honors in their field, but received a failing grade in the Holy Ghost, who is the most important element in any presentation of the gospel. The following brief case study on the effectiveness of using the spiritual gifts God has given us is worthy of note, for we will see that there can be no valid excuse for us not knowing or using our spiritual gifts, for the purpose of drawing others unto Christ. Let's read:
John 4:7 There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink. 13 Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: 14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. 15 The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw. 16 Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither. 17 The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband: 18 For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly. 28 The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, 29 Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ? 30 Then they went out of the city, and came unto him.
This woman of Samaria is what many people will regard as the most unlikely candidate, for the fact that she was married five times says much about her past, and therefore, if there is anyone who should make an excuse for not using the gift given them, it would be this woman, for her very credibility will in most minds be a major stumbling block to her reaching others. Furthermore, when she returns to her native town and says to those who know her, "Come see a man" who would believe her, seeing that she had six of them previously. But her past, like ours presents no hindrance to the using of the spiritual gifts given by God, for it is often the case that God specializes in using those who were once captives in spiritual chains, but who were then liberated by the might and power of the living Christ.
In our own experiences, we too have been given spiritual gifts, and the question is not what we have done in the past, like the woman of Samaria, but what are we presently doing with the gifts God has given us to use in the building up and edification of His church. Every Christian should be actively engaged in some form of ministry, in which our God-given gifts and talents find sweetest exercise in the salvation of others. If we do not now know what our gift is, then the Bible teaches us what we should do about that, for God still sits on the throne, and if we ask a question on this matter, He will be more than willing to answer. We therefore end with a passage of scripture which encourages us to ask, and God will respond in the positive, because the mandate to use our spiritual gifts did not originate with man, but with God. Let's read:
James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering"....
May The Lord add His blessing to the study and practice of His every word. God bless!