Title: The gift of God: Think Responsibility
Text: Jeremiah 1:7, But the LORD said to me,
“Do not say, ‘I am only a child.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say
whatever I command you.
Intro: There is a saying in the media these days which holds
a good word of reason for those who desire to drink alcohol, which states,
‘Drink Responsibly’. Anyone who
considers taking in a drink should do so with caution due to the ability of the
drink to take away the person’s ability to think clearly. I think a similar word of caution could be
given to those who discover God’s gift to them.
When God reveals the gift, He reveals with the intent of the obedience
to Him.
For the young prophet Jeremiah, it was clear that he was
intimidated by the dictates of the surrounding experiences that he thought he
was unable to prophesy. “I am a child”
he said. But when God gives to the world
his presence in the form of gifts, along with the gift is the guidance of
reason from the truth of God’s experience not our own. As we discussed last week the fact that God
placed you in a certain place and time, gives much cause to find the purpose of
what He has called you to. This week we
are looking at using your make up in the place He has called you to with great
consideration and responsibility.
As
you will study in scripture, God calls people to the task to be done with the
command of loyalty to Him and the Kingdom
of God. Remember that the prophet was given this
vision at an early age yet at many times in his life the gift seemed to be
against any good that it would gain for Jeremiah personally. In chapter 20 the prophet was so distraught
with God’s plan of discipline that he attempted to keep from performing the
gift that God had given. Due to his own
desire to say something positive, Jeremiah wanted to spread some good news but
God had different plans. Jeremiah was
unable to keep God’s gift contained to his preference. “There is in my heart as it were a burning
fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot.” He
could not, not dispense the gift.
The
Apostle Paul gives further insight into the gifts when he wrote to the
Corinthian church, “You know that when you were pagans, somehow
or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. 3
Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says,
“Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except
by the Holy Spirit.
Notice that Paul makes mention that being
influenced and led astray by mute idols cannot compare to being led
intentionally through life by the Spirit of God. Mute idols cannot relate, inform and instruct
so the person is led by his own preferences.
The gift of God is given in a certain place and time so that the glory
of God will be revealed in the kingdom of His dear Son. That is important for us to know. Nowhere in scripture is anyone given specific
gifts to be used at their own liking but for His greater purpose. That is why when the gift is used, it calls
for the believer to depend upon the guidance, will and love of God. Even Jesus when crying out for another way to
secure salvation, in prayer in the garden, was compelled to resign to the
higher dictates of the Kingdom above His own desire for the moment. The call of the gift of God demands the
believer to be responsible to the higher demands of the Kingdom above property,
face or even life. The plan of God is to
be trusted as the guide for those who believe in Him. Continuing to believe that His Spirit will
lead them by the power of the word He has written and sustains.
As you find the gift that God has given you,
remember that you must not lean to your better thoughts to follow God but lean
heavily upon the dictates of His Spirit through His word to make the gift work
to the glory of God.
Blessing: May the task that you have committed to God
to get done today be pleasing in His
sight and bring about great success
Prayer: O Lord in
whom all things live,
Who commanded us to
seek you,
Who are always ready
to be found:
To know you is life,
To serve you is
freedom,
To praise you is our
soul’s delight.
We bless you and
adore you,
We worship you and
magnify you,
We give thanks to you
for your great glory,
Through Jesus Christ
our Lord.
Augustine
