Romans 12
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. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
This text tells us what a Christian should be like. Woe to you if on Judgement day you stand before the Judge of all judges and you have not lived the life He wanted you to live. This is not just for your pastor, but you personally. God expects you to live a life of obedience to Him.
Jesus used the parable of the talents as an example. In the same way He has given to each of us talents to do what He wants us to do, and woe if we are not busy with that.
The one who was diligent with the talents God gave him was given more, but the talent of the one who did not use them, was taken from him and given to the one who used his talents.
Whether you are from Korea or the Netherlands you must be busy with God’s will for your life. Even if you’re retired you must still be busy with God’s will for you till your last breath.
We must not think that we have no responsibility. That’s the wrong attitude.
Maybe you think that it’s good enough to be a Christian, and you have no burden to reach out to others.
Jesus told us how He will judge on Judgement day, how He will take the least and judge you according to how you treated that person as if you treated Him like that.
One day Jesus was speaking to the multitudes and one asked Him, ‘who then is my neighbour?’
Then Jesus told the story of the caring Samaritan, how he cared for the man who fell under the robbers. The priest and Levite passed by the injured man and did not help him, while the Samaritan cared for him.
The Samaritans were despised by the Jews, but it was the Samaritan who acted like a child of God. We must be the same. In this we see God’s heart and how He will judge one day.
Jesus also told the pharisees, “I desire mercy and not sacrifice”. (Matt 12:7)
Perhaps you boast that you’re a Christian, sing in the choir, but you have no compassion for those in need. What type of Christian are you then?
Maybe you excuse yourself by saying that you don’t get involved in other people’s matters and so you have no compassion and look down on others. Maybe you even call them derogatory names.
However Jesus commanded us to “love our neighbour as ourself.”
Maybe you do what you like, go where you like, do what you feel like. You think a lot of yourself, regard yourself as better than others, not realising that in God’s eyes you are nothing.
It is said that Mozart was quite a small, frail man. He was in love with a certain girl and proposed to her, but after thinking about the proposal she replied that she didn’t want such a small, frail man as husband. Later, when Mozart became famous for his musical talent, she attended one of his concerts and was amazed and said, “I never knew that in this frail, small man is contained so much.”
Now we are not speaking about Mozart, we’re speaking about God. Maybe in your life God is missing. You just do what you want. You don’t even consult God.
Then there are those who speak about “God and I” as if it’s a 50-50 partnership. It must be God only in your life. He must be the first and the last. He must be everything in your life.
God created you. He has the right to direct your life.
Lastly in our text we see that a true prophet speaks what is on God’s heart. Our text says a prophet “prophesies according to the proportion of faith”. He speaks about heaven and hell in the power of the Holy Spirit. He speaks about sin and how loathsome it is God, and God’s way of salvation for guilty sinners.
A prophet speaks about service. We are not here on earth to be served but to serve. Jesus practiced it, taking the bucket and towel and washed His disciples feet.
He taught us not to strive for position. The greatest must be the servant of all.
Another gift is teaching. There are different ways of teaching. But if you’re not a teacher then don’t try to be one and desire the gift of another. Use the gift God has given you to His glory and be thankful.
Another has the gift of leadership. If you don’t have that gift don’t be jealous of his position, but support the one who has the leadership gift and follow according to your gift.
Our text also says, “abhor what is evil and cling to what is good.” Do you do that?
Measure yourself against God’s word. How do you measure up? Have you lived according to God’s will? If not, repent today and do His will for your life.
If we obey and live according to His will for our life it will be like heaven, otherwise like hell.