Day Eighteen: Worship God Through Our Service to One Another
Ephesians 4:12,
To prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.
Since the word and the deed go hand in hand, if we love one another and humble ourselves for the benefit of those we love, then how do we serve and why? There are 4 different places in scripture that speak of this concept of the body of Christ and the spiritual gifts given by the Holy Spirit to best serve that body. You can find these references in Romans 12:4-8; 1 Corinthians 12:12-31; Ephesians 4:4-13 and 1 Peter 4:1-11.
Interestingly enough, these lists of spiritual gifts are not identical from one passage to the next. I don’t believe these lists are meant to be an exhaustive list of spiritual gifts or else they would be identical. The question is always asked, “what separates gifts from talents?” However, I think we are missing the point. God made you uniquely you, made in His image, with a certain set of “giftings” which make us very different from the rest of creation. The reason for these giftings was not for self-indulgence or puffery, but rather to serve and strengthen the rest of the body of Christ. Because God unifies, these God-given gifts help strengthen the mission of the church. If we use these gifts without love, or for our own personal gain… it’s just a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal (1 Corinthians 13:1). Put simply, wasted.
So how is this worship? Because God desires obedience over sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22). When we choose to live our lives in accordance to God’s will then this brings Him praise, it brings Him worship. The antithesis to this would be disobedience which brings disrespect and it dishonors God and no amount of singing, praying, or bartering will overshadow this disobedience. God wants us to serve His church. To build it up.
So here is the push. Use these gifts and talents God has given you to do what is best for the church and for your brothers and sisters. Live for Christ because this is your act of worship. It all comes back around to Romans 12:1 which should be very familiar to you by now.
“In view of God’s mercy offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.”
Reading: 1 Peter 4:1-11; 1 Corinthians 12:12-31