“SANCTIFIED TO SERVE”
Romans 1:11-12
- A devotional Bible study by Rev. Don Schink © 2010
-Romans 1:11-12
- A devotional Bible study by Rev. Don Schink © 2010
Verse #11:
“I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong -” (NIV)
Paul is eager to share that which will enable them, as sanctified (set apart), Spirit-filled believers, to become more effective for power to serve, sharing those spiritual gifts that are available to believers who will yield hearts and lives to Christ. As such Paul emphasizes the reality, by his own example, of being fully devoted to Christ and His cause for the promotion of the gospel.
We all have different gifts and talents waiting to be developed and to be used for the Lord. In Romans 12:6, Paul testifies, “We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let his use it in proportion to his faith.”
In 1 Corinthians 12:4, we find, “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit.” In 1 Corinthians 12:12, we read, “The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body.” In 12:27-31, the Bible states, “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. (28) And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues (languages). (29) Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? (31) But eagerly desire the greater gifts.”
In 1 Corinthians 13:1-3, we see the gift that motivates any and all others that you or I may possess: “And now I will show you the most excellent way. If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging symbol. (2) If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. (3) If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.”
We are nothing on our own. We can do nothing of eternal value on our own. We are worthless without the Holy Spirit, being sanctified for His will, allowing the Holy Spirit to empower and fill us to enable us to serve Him. There is no room for selfishness here. We are to yield our will for His will. The Holy Spirit needs to be allowed to come upon us in His sanctifying fullness that we may find, develop and utilize the spiritual gifts that He has for each of us, for the redemption of others.
Verse #12:
“… that is that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.”
We really do need each other. Paul stressed the importance of mutually encouraging one another. He needed it. They would need it. You need it. So do I. We all truly need each other.
Paul’s genuine humility, as seen here, shows that He was clearly Spirit-filled. He expected that they would be mutually encouraged, edified and strengthened. Every Christian should desire to fellowship with Christian friends, both in their churches and in their communities. As such, we need to share our feelings and concerns with one another in the body of Christ. Paul was not expressing superiority over them. His was a genuine, loving concern. He recognized the mutual need of believers to lift each other up. It goes both ways. Then, we will be better equipped to befriend and share the gospel with non-believers, being redemptive and lovingly leading them to eternal life in Christ.
For questions and comments, please email me at: PastorDonNM@gmail.com
