WISDOM FOR LIVING DAILY DEVOTIONAL
DECEMBER 07, 2025
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).
A 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 ones who are right; all others are wrong.
No doubt, some supposed Christian groups have completely gone astray, engaging in practices that the Bible clearly forbids and promoting unmistakably sinful behaviours. Christians who believe in Bible teachings must have nothing to do with such. Believers must generally understand the body of Christ and relate properly to fellow believers and ministers.
The Bible compares the body of Christ with the human body, consisting of different parts that perform diverse functions (1 Corinthians 12). 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 many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other” (New Living Translation).
As believers, we must understand that God has given us different abilities to perform the functions He has assigned to us. 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 so we can help each other.”
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 criticise or separate yourself from other believers or ministers who have the gifts, abilities, or anointing that God has not given you, you deprive yourself of something precious. 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 others’ ministries. Don’t feel too important. A few years before Billy Graham passed at 99, he spoke about 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).” Not that this great servant of God didn’t fellowship with other believers or was a lone ranger, but he said he would prioritise having more fellowship with Christians so that they could be a blessing to him.
Nobody is perfect, including you. Christians need each other. Don’t neglect meeting with other believers and being open to others’ ministries. If you isolate yourself from others and don’t allow them to minister to you the gifts of God in their lives, you will be weak and deficient. “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 must give your heart to Jesus now. Please 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 heart. *As a mark of seriousness to mature in the faith, start attending a Bible-believing, Bible-teaching, and Bible-practising 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 God raised Him on the third day. I repent of my sins and confess Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. I invite Jesus 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 must join a Bible-believing, Bible-teaching, and Bible-practising church where they will teach you how to live your new life in Christ Jesus. I pray that you flourish like a palm tree and grow like a 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 with other Christians. 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 900 in-depth and powerful messages by T. O. Banso, visit www.cedarministry.org).
T. O. Banso is the President of Cedar Ministry International, Abuja, Nigeria.
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