Romans

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NASB	Romans 12:6 Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith;
AMPLIFIED 2015	Romans 12:6 Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to use them accordingly: if [someone has the gift of] prophecy, [let him speak a new message from God to His people] in proportion to the faith possessed;

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Subject: Open mouth, insert foot

Bible Note: Greetings George,

The spiritual gift of exhortation (Rom. 12:8) sounds like an interesting gift to have! You find yourself exhorting others with an uplifting, cheerful call to worthwhile accomplishment. A teacher might also have the gift of exhortation. In teaching, a believer is shown what he must do. In encouraging, he is helped to do that which he is shown to do.

Four major lists of spiritual gifts are found in Romans 12:3-8, 1 Cor. 12:1-11, Eph. 4:11-12, and 1 Peter 4:9-11.

I also undertook a "spiritual gifts" evaluation while I was studying to become a Pastor at Indiana Wesleyan University. Here's how it came out for me:

I scored the highest in Intercession (James 5:17-18), which is the God given ability to pray for others for extended periods of time on a regular basis, being able to persist in prayer and not be discouraged until the answer arrives. I have been on many a "spiritual prayer warrior" list. When I pray for people, I make it a point to keep them on my list for some time.

The next highest categories that I showed the greatest ability for were: Evangelism (Acts 8:26-40), Encouragement (Acts 14:22), Teaching (Eph. 4:11-14), Pastoring/Shepherding (1 Peter 5:2-4), Administration (1 Cor. 14:40), Serving (Acts 6:1-7), and Leadership (Hebrews 13:7,17).

However, shortly after this time, I strongly perceived in my own heart that the Lord was not actually calling me to be a Pastor, and this came as quite a shock to some people at the time, including my father, who wanted me to follow in his footsteps.. :-)

"For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another." Romans 12:4-5

My father and I came to realize that the Lord was leading me into a different path than his. While there is only one way to become a true preacher, unfortunately there are many doors into the pulpit. One is to be endowed with what is sometimes called a "good pulpit presence." But many a tall Absalom whose commanding presence and sonorous voice mark him as a natural leader of men is attempting to speak for God when he has not been sent or called by God. His call is from the people instead of from the Spirit and the results cannot be but disastrous.

Then I thought to myself: others have become ministers from a genuine but altogether human love for mankind. These folks have a strong sense of social obligation which they feel they can best discharge and put to use by entering the ministry.

Of all the wrong reasons for becoming a preacher, this would seem to be the most laudatory, but it nevertheless is not a spiritually valid reason, because it overlooks the sovereign right of the Holy Spirit to call whom He will.

The church that is man-managed instead of God-governed is doomed to failure. A ministry that is college-trained but not Spirit-filled works no miracles. Things will get no better until we get back to the realized presence and power of the Holy Spirit.

Blessings to you,

Makarios