Power filled Positive Thinking-Chapter 16 B
Throughout this book we have been looking at the wondrous power filled gifts that are ours in Christ. Our position in Christ is forever sealed by the Holy Spirit who is our constant companion, reminding us in the midst of every trial of this life that “all is well with our soul.” We are the redeemed, beloved, chosen children of God—heirs of royalty, and servants bound with the chains of love. In God’s magnificent wisdom, He then bestowed special motivational gifts in such a manner that we would need each other. God so desired that we understand that in Him we have all the joy, the love, and the glory we would ever need; however, we cannot fully comprehend the marvel of that until we are able to share that with each other.
Friends are those who come along side us when we are in our deepest trials standing like shields of faith, they hold our hand and listen. They are there in our darkest valleys shining their light of love to lead our way out. They rejoice when we rejoice and comfort us in our tears. They are our prayer warriors, always lifting us up before a mighty God.
Interwoven throughout my life, God has always placed such special friends to be there at the exact moment I needed them. Each with their own unique spiritual gifts that when harmoniously intertwined with mine lead to each of us blossoming into the persons God had created us to be.
We have been exploring the beauty of some of those spiritual gifts which are uniquely bestowed and how we need to embrace the differences so that we may all work harmoniously together in the ministry of Christ to which we are called. Until now we have looked at the gifts of serving, leading, justice, mercy, and giving. The final two I would like for us to look at are: exhortation and teaching.
Those with the gift of exhortation have the ability to discern the true potential in others. They see past the present appearance, see deep into the heart, and recognize the magnificent possibilities of the other person’s life when they are abiding in Christ. Those with the gift of exhortation long to see that potential released. They want to make certain that you are growing in Christ. They admonish, they teach and they want to come alongside you to explain to you the precise steps toward unlocking that potential. They welcome the trials and tribulations, knowing that those are stepping stones toward victory. They are enthusiastic, creative motivators who are filled with love and discernment. Sometimes they are misunderstood by those they want to help because they are thought to be nosey or interfering. Instead, they are merely trying to gain as much knowledge as they can about the situation so as to guide your steps out of darkness into the light of truth. Paul was the apostle who most demonstrated the gift of exhortation. Listen to how Paul himself described his ministry. “25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: 27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:29 Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily” (Colossians 1). When those with the motivational gift of exhortation are not walking in the spirit, they become critical, judgmental, gullible, selfish, withdrawn, apathetic underachievers.
Last, but equally important, we have those with the gift of teaching. Luke would be the best example in scripture of the one with the gift of teaching. Those with this gift desire to present the truth in a very systematic manner, a detail oriented, and geared toward accuracy. In fact, they often avoid illustrations by outside sources which they feel may distort the truth. Those with the gift of teaching delight in researching, studying, and getting the facts. They are concerned that the truth of the Gospel is told. They are sometimes very quiet listeners until they gather all the facts. They demonstrate great self-control, thoroughness, dependability, patience and detail orientation. Listen to how Luke began his epistle, “ Dear friend who loves God:[a]Several biographies of Christ have already been written using as their source material the reports circulating among us from the early disciples and other eyewitnesses.3 However, it occurred to me that it would be well to recheck all these accounts from first to last and after thorough investigation to pass this summary on to you,[b] 4 to reassure you of the truth of all you were taught” Luke 1 (TLB). As is true with all of the motivational gifts when the person with the gift of teaching is not allowing the Holy Spirit to guide them, they can become anxious, slothful, self-indulgent, disruptive, and inconsistent.
God, in His wisdom, knew how important it was that we not try to walk this journey alone; so He designed us to need each other. I want to take a moment to thank all the friends I have met along this journey. They have been guiding beams of light, ever pointing me toward God’s love through their words, their love, and their friendship. Some may live far away; yet, remain forever in my heart.
Listen to this song, Friends are Friends Forever
Living Bible (TLB)
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
©2015 Effie Darlene Barba
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