Over the years, I found myself running in circles; attempting to be everything for everybody. Motivated by a need to be loved, I worked day and night. Often, afraid to ask for help; I believed I must stand alone; while giving to others. As such, I found myself feeling drained; because, I had nothing left to give. Or so, I believed. Furthermore, I found myself working so hard to perform for God, that I despaired with each “failure”–real or perceived. Always motivated by the fear of rejection, I remained vulnerable to Satan’s whispering lies. “You will never be good enough! Look, you just fell again into the same sin. What kind of fool are you?” Then, one day; listening to Charles Stanley; I heard him preaching about the spiritual gift of Mercy. Every word He spoke, pulled at my heart, revealing to me the truth of my personal struggle.
I hurried to the Intouch.org website to listen to the full series. Furthermore, I keep a CD copy of the series on my shelf, always. I pull it out and listen to it again; whenever, I find myself growing selfish, cranky and tired of ministry. Those symptoms are the first telltale sign that “Mercy” is out of step with God. How quickly I forget who I am in Christ, needing a reminder! In fact, this past weekend; I found myself struggling. Frustrated with me, I wanted to withdraw into a cocoon. The difference between now and 15 years ago? Now, I recognize the signs quickly, knowing where to turn. Therefore, never to be bound in a life of quiet desperation; because, the Holy Spirit guides me back to that place and time where I first knew, in Christ Jesus, I have victory over my despair.
ONE BODY WITH MANY PARTS
Jesus Christ portrays the perfect embodiment of all the spiritual gifts flowing forth in one person. However, in the body of His Church, the gifts are uniquely given so that everyone holds one primary motivational gift with a secondary motivational gift. No one stands completely alone holding all the gifts, apart from Jesus. Purposely, God divided the gifts, so none of us could stand as an island alone. Look at this verse:
4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.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.” Ephesians 4
Note Paul said, “But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of THE GIFT of Christ” Christ bestowed upon each of us who accept Him as Lord and King, one primary Spiritual gift of motivation; rather than all seven. Typically, we each have a second “minor gift”; complementing or contrasting our primary spiritual gift. To fully understand the body of the church, each member must learn their own function and purpose within the body.
UNIQUELY INTERTWINED
The hand as it plunges itself into the fire; cannot tell the brain, “Withdraw me from the fire.” Quite the opposite occurs. The hand reports to the brain “I hurt”. Thus, the brain tells the hand to withdraw itself from the flame. Each body part has it’s own unique function; however, they must harmoniously work together in order to function to their fullest potential.
Each of us must understand the intricacies of our own motivational gift; how it complements another’s gift, and how they all inter-work to a perfect harmony.
Spiritual Gift Analysis: 7 Unique gifts of Motivation
3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. 4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. 9 Let love be without dissimulation. Romans 12
So, the 7 Motivational Spiritual gifts that we will be exploring over the next few posts are:
- Leadership (Organization)
- Service
- Mercy
- Giving (Money Management)
- Exhortation
- Teacher
- Prophecy (Justice)
With each gift, we will explore its unique role in the body of the church. What it looks like when we are truly walking in the spirit. What it looks like when we are walking in the flesh. We need to learn how each motivational gift interacts with other Christian’s spiritual gift to fully function as the body of Christ’s Church. Furthermore, we need to know the pitfalls we must be looking out for.
CONCLUDING THOUGHTS
As we do this, try to identify your own primary spiritual gift. Think about other people you have meet in this journey and try to identify their primary motivational gift. Together, we form a fully functional body of Christ’s Church knit together by love.
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link, if you have a prayer request email me by clicking here or comment here
CONCLUDING TWEETS
[tweetthis]Essential to my gaining victory was my discovering my spiritual gift[/tweetthis]
[tweetthis]Spiritual gifts are so divided that no one stands alone, we need each other[/tweetthis]
OTHER RESOURCES AVAILABLE
A Broken and Contrite Heart, I published in 2010, answers the question, “What do I do when I keep falling into the same sin? Does God hate me because I keep failing to get this right? So, where do I begin again and find joy in my salvation; after, falling. If you want to know more about this book or the other books I have written: You can find a link at: Book Resources.
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2017
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
Featured picture is used with permission from the artist Graham Braddock