{ Day 299 }

But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This is why it says: “When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men.” —Ephesians 4:7-8

The gifts of God in a person’s life are not merit badges signifying that person’s consecration, wisdom, or 100 percent doctrinal truth. You might interpret the meaning of Ephesians 4:7 like this: out of unmerited grace, each person is given gifts for the purpose of being used to bless others. Gifts of the Holy Spirit, whether they are in the form of manifestations of power and revelation or in the form of people given as ministers, are for the purpose of blessing the church. Yet, most of us can hardly avoid the temptation of seeing supernatural power gifts working through an individual as a symbol of God’s approval of that person’s life, spiritual maturity, and doctrine. The more significant the giftings and power, the more approval from God—or so it would seem. If we understood that the manifestations of the Spirit are for the common good and not for the good of the individual whom God uses, we would be less likely to stumble over the idea that God uses imperfect, often immature people to bless the church.

{ PRAYER STARTER }

Father, use me to bless others. Display Your spirit and Your giftings in my life in such a way that no one sees anything of me, but sees only You.

Out of unmerited grace, each person
is given gifts for the purpose of
being used to bless others.