Kingdom's Keys Fellowship
Where God's Kingdom Meets Man's Heart.
Lent 8 Getting Down to It
Attitude. That is the key factor in the exercise of spiritual gifts. It is three –dimensional. First, attitude governs our approach to the understanding of gifts. Second, attitude determines whether or not we will identify them. Third, attitude informs us about our willingness to risk experimenting. Let’s look at these in more detail.
First, understanding.
When we accepted Jesus as Savior it was as though we had been rescued and given a reprieve. But being a disciple of Jesus not only gives us an identity and a resting place for our needs, it calls us into becoming an active part of the very rescue operation that saved us. Yes, we were saved and that in the best sense of the word. Yes, we found a home, a spiritual and social identity, new friends and a family that we could be part of. Yes, we’re plugged in. But has it become more of a safe haven and a comfort zone? This is when we need to ask questions like, “Is that enough and are we called to be more than just a worship attender and do ‘busy work’ at ‘church?’ What about all those out there in the world who are as lost as I was?” Is there more to being part of the Body of Christ than folding chairs, being on a committee and helping at cake sales?
In the Gospels the Lord has given us a picture of what it means to be His witnessing disciple and through Paul has revealed the specific means to realize our part in His rescue plan. We are saved by grace through faith and each of us has been given pieces of His grace to make His plan work. We have become His partners, His lifeguards, His agents of reconciliation and salvation. This is why spiritual gifts are so important. This is why our attitude needs a dose of understanding, the willingness to see ‘the more’ the Lord has for us in this exciting life in Him.
Second, identifying.
Again, attitude is one of will. The Bible is loaded with information to touch the mind with spiritual hints as to where we are and our ‘fit’ in the Body. Are we open to saying to ourselves, “Hmmm, there are a couple of those gifts that seem to fit how I see myself in the Body. And there are some friends in the Body that do center their lives around certain ways of being a disciple. Maybe I can check it out with them.’ So between the Bible, prayer, some questions, some teaching about gifts and turning to trusted others you identify them. It is a matter of attitude, a needed dose of initiative, a willingness to identify them.
Third, risk.
Attitude predicates willingness. Is there willingness to risk what we find the Spirit revealing in us? The Lord is really gentle. When His Spirit moves within the heart He isn’t pushy. We have the choice to accept or reject the nudges He gives us. When we respond to what may appear as risk what we will find is that moving out spiritually is part of His ongoing plan for us. It is also His plan for those we minister to. For everyone, first spiritual steps seem risky. But those are the steps that really please the Lord so everyone benefits. We need a dose of risk. You can’t lose.
One more thing about attitude. Attitude governed by sin will get us to view the world through fear, pride and self-protection. That is what sin does. When we became Jesus’ disciples He brought His love in His grace to be our attitude because that is His attitude. He accepts us in His grace and loves us into His kingdom. As John has said, “Perfect love casts out fear.” We have been given an attitude of grace laced with love to understand, identify and risk, for the sake of others, the gifts that build the Body. When the Body and its members function spiritually it becomes a lifeboat in which we are the fishermen who cast their nets. These nets are the intertwined and interdependent gifts of the Spirit designed to rescue lonely hearts scurrying about, frightened and looking for cover. They may be out in the world or even next to us in the pew.
It’s really about attitude isn’t it? See what Paul says in the NIV translation, (Php.2) “5Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
6Who, being in very nature[a] God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
7but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature[b] of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
More on gifts…stay tuned………
First, understanding.
When we accepted Jesus as Savior it was as though we had been rescued and given a reprieve. But being a disciple of Jesus not only gives us an identity and a resting place for our needs, it calls us into becoming an active part of the very rescue operation that saved us. Yes, we were saved and that in the best sense of the word. Yes, we found a home, a spiritual and social identity, new friends and a family that we could be part of. Yes, we’re plugged in. But has it become more of a safe haven and a comfort zone? This is when we need to ask questions like, “Is that enough and are we called to be more than just a worship attender and do ‘busy work’ at ‘church?’ What about all those out there in the world who are as lost as I was?” Is there more to being part of the Body of Christ than folding chairs, being on a committee and helping at cake sales?
In the Gospels the Lord has given us a picture of what it means to be His witnessing disciple and through Paul has revealed the specific means to realize our part in His rescue plan. We are saved by grace through faith and each of us has been given pieces of His grace to make His plan work. We have become His partners, His lifeguards, His agents of reconciliation and salvation. This is why spiritual gifts are so important. This is why our attitude needs a dose of understanding, the willingness to see ‘the more’ the Lord has for us in this exciting life in Him.
Second, identifying.
Again, attitude is one of will. The Bible is loaded with information to touch the mind with spiritual hints as to where we are and our ‘fit’ in the Body. Are we open to saying to ourselves, “Hmmm, there are a couple of those gifts that seem to fit how I see myself in the Body. And there are some friends in the Body that do center their lives around certain ways of being a disciple. Maybe I can check it out with them.’ So between the Bible, prayer, some questions, some teaching about gifts and turning to trusted others you identify them. It is a matter of attitude, a needed dose of initiative, a willingness to identify them.
Third, risk.
Attitude predicates willingness. Is there willingness to risk what we find the Spirit revealing in us? The Lord is really gentle. When His Spirit moves within the heart He isn’t pushy. We have the choice to accept or reject the nudges He gives us. When we respond to what may appear as risk what we will find is that moving out spiritually is part of His ongoing plan for us. It is also His plan for those we minister to. For everyone, first spiritual steps seem risky. But those are the steps that really please the Lord so everyone benefits. We need a dose of risk. You can’t lose.
One more thing about attitude. Attitude governed by sin will get us to view the world through fear, pride and self-protection. That is what sin does. When we became Jesus’ disciples He brought His love in His grace to be our attitude because that is His attitude. He accepts us in His grace and loves us into His kingdom. As John has said, “Perfect love casts out fear.” We have been given an attitude of grace laced with love to understand, identify and risk, for the sake of others, the gifts that build the Body. When the Body and its members function spiritually it becomes a lifeboat in which we are the fishermen who cast their nets. These nets are the intertwined and interdependent gifts of the Spirit designed to rescue lonely hearts scurrying about, frightened and looking for cover. They may be out in the world or even next to us in the pew.
It’s really about attitude isn’t it? See what Paul says in the NIV translation, (Php.2) “5Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
6Who, being in very nature[a] God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
7but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature[b] of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
More on gifts…stay tuned………
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