This is for all you who believe that the idea of spiritual gifts is weird and superstitious. Spiritual gifts are actually actions for the purposes of encouragement. If you need to understand why we need to be encouraged in our journeys of faith, you need to listen to the podcast or read the notes from my sermon, “Law of Nature” in the “Doctrine” series from this past January. For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine. (Romans 1:11, 12 ESV) The Apostle Paul had never been to Rome, at the time he wrote this letter to the church in Rome. In fact, the only time he was in Rome was at the end of his life, while he awaited trial before the Caesar for preaching the Gospel. It was treason to evangelize in the name of anybody else besides the Caesar of Rome because the common understanding was that the king was a son of the gods and must be the only object of worship, along with the other pantheon of gods. Paul, preaching years and years under these circumstances, was finally arrested for doing what he knew in his heart that God had called him to do– to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In the end he ended up in Rome so that he could be given a fair trial. He then went to Rome, and most of that time, Paul spent under house arrest, so he probably didn’t spend much time touring and exploring the city. He did, however, get to share the gospel with everybody around him that would give him an ear. Now it is clear why Paul wanted to “strengthen” the faith of the believers in Rome. The living situation in Rome must have been tenuous with the juxtaposition of their beliefs in stark contrast with the cultural ideology of the capital city in the empire. What is more interesting is how he wished to “strengthen” them. The Bible says this strengthening came by way of “spiritual gifts.” This is where a lot of you get scared because you’re thinking exorcisms and tongues and miraculous healings; but I think we need to note here that while “spiritual gifts” definitely does encompass those things, it also covers loving other people as God entrusted us with. What that means is that we rejoice in making others joyful, taking pleasure in communing with those who believe the same things with us. Moreover, “spiritual gifts” encompasses sharing whatever and any good that we can. We are all encouraged in faith by practicing spiritual gifts. They don’t need to defy the laws of gravity or anything, but if you really think about it, I think loving people and bringing them joy through sharing your life with them will defy most laws of nature. Use your spiritual gifts to encourage somebody in faith today.
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