WISDOM FOR LIVING DAILY DEVOTIONAL
DECEMBER 4, 2021
TOPIC: GOD WORKS THROUGH BELIEVERS IN DIFFERENT WAYS
 BY T. O. BANSO
“There are different ways to serve but the same Lord to serve. And there are different ways that God works through people but the same God. God works in all of us in everything we do” (1 Corinthians 12:5-6 New Century Version).
Lack of understanding of the body of Christ has made some believers, including ministers of God, go into error. It has made some to be full of themselves, leading to their fall. They were so proud of their gifts that they arrogated to themselves the position, which God had not given them. Pride led to their destruction. “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18 New King James Version).
Ignorance of the body of Christ has made some isolate themselves from other Christians and ministers because they believe that they’re the only one who is right; all others are wrong.
No doubt, there are some supposed Christian groups that have completely gone astray, engaging in practices that the Bible clearly forbids and promoting behaviours that are unmistakably sinful. Christians, who believe in Bible teachings, must have nothing to do with such. However, believers must generally understand the body of Christ and relate properly with fellow believers and ministers.
In 1 Corinthians 12, the Bible compares the body of Christ to the human body, which consists of different parts, performing different functions. Romans 12:4-5 says, “Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are all parts of his one body, and each of us has different work to do. And since we are all one body in Christ, we belong to each other, and each of us needs all the others” (New Living Translation).
As believers, we must understand that God has given each person different abilities to perform the functions He has assigned him. The gift, grace, or anointing is not an achievement that should make anyone proud. It is not for one’s personal benefit, but for the good of all believers. “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all” (1 Corinthians 12:7 New King James Version). The New Living Translation renders it thus: “A spiritual gift is given to each of us as a means of helping the entire church.”
Also, the apostle Peter says in 1 Peter 4:10-11, “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen” (New King James Version).
If you criticize or separate yourself from other believers or ministers, who have the gifts, abilities, or anointing that God has not given you, you cheat yourself. God does not give anyone EVERYTHING.
God uses people in different ways. 1 Corinthians 12:5-6 says, “There are different ways to serve but the same Lord to serve. And there are different ways that God works through people but the same God. God works in all of us in everything we do” (New Century Version).
Use your spiritual gifts and be open to the ministry of others, as they use theirs, too. Don’t feel too important. When God’s servant, Billy Graham, turned 92 years, he spoke on his regrets and some things he would do differently. One of the things he said was, “I would give more attention to fellowship with other Christians, who could teach me and encourage me (and even rebuke me when necessary).”
Don’t neglect meeting with other believers and being open to others’ ministries. “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:24-25 New King James Version).
TAKE ACTION!
If you are not born again, you need to give your life to Jesus now. I urge you to take the following steps: *Admit that you are a sinner and you cannot save yourself and repent of your sins. *Confess Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. *Renounce your past way of life – your relationship with the devil and his works. *Invite Jesus into your life. *As a mark of seriousness to mature in the faith, start attending a Bible-believing and Bible-teaching church. There they will teach you how to grow in the Kingdom of God.
Kindly say this prayer now: O Lord God, I come unto You today. I know I am a sinner and I cannot save myself. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross to save me and resurrected the third day. I repent of my sins and confess Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. I surrender my life to Jesus now and invite Him into my heart. By this prayer, I know I am saved. Thank You, Jesus, for saving me and making me a child of God.
I believe you have said this prayer from your heart. Congratulations! You will need to join a Bible-believing and Bible-teaching church in your area where they will teach you how to live your new life in Christ Jesus. I pray that you flourish like the palm tree and grow like the cedar of Lebanon. May you grow into Christ in all things and become all God wants you to be. I will be glad to hear from you. The Lord be with you.
PRAYER POINTS: Father, help me to give more attention to fellowship with other Christians. I shall not forsake assembling together with other Christians in Jesus’ name. Deliver me from pride that makes me feel more important than others. Clothe me with humility to minister to others and be ministered to.
(For over 800 in-depth and powerful messages by T. O. Banso, visit: www.cedarministry.org).
T. O. Banso is the President, Cedar Ministry International, Abuja, Nigeria.
Phone No: +2348155744752, +2348033113523
WhatsApp No: +2349081295947
Email: cedarministryintl@yahoo.com,
cedarministryng@gmail.com
Website: www.cedarministry.org
  
  
  
  
