Calling and Purpose 42—The Intersection of God’s Roles and Ours—Part I
What do you notice about God in each of the following verses?
· Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
· 2 Corinthians 4:1 …since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart.
· Ephesians 2:4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
· Hebrews 4:16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
· 1 Peter 2:10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
Each verse describes a few particular attributes of God: He is a God of mercy, a God rich in mercy, a God who saves by grace, a God rich in grace, a kind God, a generous God, His throne is grace, a God who gives mercy, a God who calls us His people.
Now, what do you notice the following verses say about us?
· Hosea 6:6 For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.
· Micah 6:8 He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
· Romans 12:4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
Each verse describes how we are to BE, to live, and to act: as people of mercy, worshippers of God, acting justly, loving mercy, humble, expressing different gifts—including prophecy, serving/helps, teaching, encouragement/exhortation, giving, leadership, and mercy.
If you have the spiritual gift of Mercy, can you describe in one or two sentences what it looks like or feels like when you are using this gift? (If you don’t have this as one of your mix of spiritual gifts, can you articulate what you have seen it look like when another person is exhibiting it?)
If you have the spiritual gift of Helps, can you describe in one or two sentences what it looks like or feels like when you are using this gift? (If you don’t have this as one of your mix of spiritual gifts, can you articulate what you have seen it look like when another person is exhibiting it?)
If you have the spiritual gift of Exhortation, can you describe in one or two sentences what it looks like or feels like when you are using this gift? (If you don’t have this as one of your mix of spiritual gifts, can you articulate what you have seen it look like when another person is exhibiting it?)
If you have the spiritual gift of Giving, can you describe in one or two sentences what it looks like or feels like when you are using this gift? (If you don’t have this as one of your mix of spiritual gifts, can you articulate what you have seen it look like when another person is exhibiting it?)
Usually, when we are using our God-given, Spirit-empowered gifts, we gave a sense of “I was made to do this!”—a deep experience of God working in and through us to serve Him and others. Even in challenging situations, we may feel energized and get so immersed that we lose our self-focus or the inclination to “try harder.”
Gifts are part of the equipment God gives us to be able to reflect His character to a world that desperately needs to see Him.
God is a God of mercy. Some of us have been given the spiritual gift of Mercy—an extra measure of the ability to be empathic and compassionate toward those who are hurting.
God is a God who serves. Some of us have been given the spiritual gift of Helps/Service—a desire to provide support and practical assistance wherever it’s needed.
God is a God of encouragement. Some of us have the gift of Exhortation—the God-given ability to cheer others on with the hopes of aiding them on to greater maturity.
God is a God of generosity. Some of us have the gift of Giving—the Spirit-empowered ability to provide generously for needs in ways that are sacrificial, joyful, and that challenge those who do not have this gift.
Reflect:
What is one way you can mirror the character of God, with His help and empowering, by showing mercy to someone today?
What is one way you can mirror the character of God, with His help and empowering, by serving another today?
What is one way you can mirror the character of God, with His help and empowering, by encouraging and exhorting someone today?
How can you show the generous heart of God through your actions, inspired by the Lord, today?
(For more on gifts, check out the Resources page at GodGiftsYou.com. Take the free assessment and see what gifts God has bestowed on you to contribute to the whole.)
Reflect:
· What are your gifts?
· In what way/s do you see them as a reflection of Who God is?
There is a God’s Roles—Our Roles Study Guide you can use with your small group on the Resources page of GodGiftsYou.com It covers Parts I, II, and III and can be done in one sitting or three sessions.
Shirley Giles Davis, author of the God. Gifts. You. Your Unique Calling and Design workbook, Your Unique Design Class Guide, Your Unique Design Facilitator Guide, and Gifts-Calling-Purpose blog, is a consultant, coach, facilitator who has worked with faith-based organizations, nonprofit agencies, and leaders in a diversity of fields for over 30 years. She has also been EquipConnectServe Director at her 1,200 member church since 1999.
Photo © Shirley Giles Davis, all rights reserved.