“a renewal in which there is no [distinction between] Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, [nor between nations whether] barbarian or Scythian, [nor in status whether] slave or free, but Christ is all, and in all [so believers are equal in Christ, without distinction].”
Colossians 3:11 AMP
But CHRIST is All, and in All (So believers are Equal IN Christ, without distinction)-my emphasis added.
Without distinction, meaning you can’t tell where one ends and the other begins-
Jesus is the Gift that Keeps on Giving:
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
Notice He gave some-
He is the Gift Giver and the gift originated from Him,
to you!
He gave those “gifts” to bless and benefit you.
I believe that the church has taken on the world’s ideas in certain areas where ministry is concerned.
It’s become a big I and little you mentality like most rock stars.
But Jesus differed from that completely, during His life and ministry on earth.
He gave…
That is the common thread from the beginning of His ministry,
Even until now.
He gave the disciples the authority and power to do what He did.
Not so that they could become famous, but so that the Father would become famous.
So that people would turn their hearts to the living, Loving Father and become part of a family.
The Ultimate Family.
But, just like any family, the enemy is subtle, and gets our attention off of the Father, and the fact that He provided all the gifts,
Onto what we may not have…
You have access to every gift.
Same as I.
There is no distinction.
Paul said we should earnestly pray for the best gifts.
But Brothers and Sisters, have you ever thought about the fact that even though a gift may not be operating through you,
If you’ll look around at the Body of Christ who surrounds you,
You will find that it is working towards you.
For your benefit.
To compliment your gift and add to it.
Just like all the ingredients of a perfect cake!
Jesus gave the gifts for us to share.
Not become jealous of.
It would be crazy for the milk to start hating the eggs in the cake mix because the recipe called for a little more of them-
Well, it would be crazy for cake ingredients to talk, but you get the point.
The Father has had my heart in the place of spiritual surgery concerning the sickness in the body of Christ where jealousy is concerned.
James made it clear that we war and fight and envy.
Yet we have not, because we ask not.
And even when we ask we ask amiss to consume it on our own lusts. James 4
Our gifts weren’t intended to make us famous.
Our gifts were intended to make Him famous.
To draw the world to Jesus.
The One, True Gift.
Generally, when crowds were drawn to Jesus, He healed them, and Blessed them and then slipped away.
I believe in the flesh, He still had to overcome the pride of life.
And He did.
Now, He is exalted.
And as we look to Him as the gift giver, and receive with a cheerful heart,
The gift that He’s given us to give–
We remember, He is Perfect in all He does.
Where someone else’s gift ends, yours begins.
And vice versa.
So that the thread of what God is doing in the earth, through His Body can ultimately bring the whole family back to His Heart.
What is your gift?
Are you using it?
Jesus said that when we are faithful with the little we will be given the opportunity of more.
Some have buried their gifts because they feel that compared to others, it’s unimportant.
That’s a lie.
And the saddest part is that the rest of the Body isn’t functioning properly when that gift isn’t brought to the table.
Allow the Holy Spirit to stir up the gifts inside of you today.
If you don’t know what it is,
Ask Him.
Don’t you think-
like any parent,
He longs to show you how your gift works and how you can plug it into perfect operation?
Remember, He gave you the gift.
It’s not your own.
(It is in the sense that you have the power to use it or abuse it.
But it’s not yours in the sense that you didn’t make yourself!
You couldn’t even breathe without Him!)
Neither is the Gift He gave to your brother and sister.
They are all His Gifts and we are members one of another.
No distinction.
ThankFully Restored 