Wednesday, 1 July 2026

Romans part 181 - Life in the Body 6

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Romans 12:6 We have gifts that differ according to the grace that was given to us - if prophecy, in proportion to our faith.

Paul is beginning a few verses in which he talks about various gifts and the appropriate use of them. First, let me assure you that you are gifted. Whether you know it or not; don't try to deny it. Either you are gifted, or God is a liar. In Ephesians 4, verse 7, it says grace was given to each one. Then in verse 8, it says gifts were given to men (meaning mankind). Ephesians 4:8 Therefore it says, "When He went up on high, He led captive a troop of captives and gave gifts to his people."

Where does the Bible say that? Psalm 68:19(18) You went up on high. You led captivity captive. You received gifts from humanity, even from the rebellious - so that God might dwell there. Oops, what is that, is God giving gifts or receiving them? Did Paul misunderstand the Scriptures?

The key to understanding this is in the Hebrew. The Hebrew doesn't say "from men," but rather that God receives gifts "in men." In giving gifts to humanity, God receives the blessing of fellowship with gifted men and women. God can't give without getting a blessing (and neither can we).

In closing today, let me offer a word in defense of the gift of prophesy, which is very much misunderstood. Prophesy is not fortune telling or predicting the future. Prophesy is speaking the mind of God. To do that, a person has to speak what he/she hears from a spiritual relationship with the Lord, and not mix any flesh into what he/she has heard.

"In proportion to our faith" means, not to exceed our character. A person with a lack of character or faith will mix the prophetic word of truth with flesh and miss apply what they have heard from the Lord. Gifted people who don't have mature character/faith sound good, but then get into error. Paul is warning prophetically gifted people to stay within their faith limitations. Properly developed character is love motivated and grace filled. Let's meditate on that today, and leave our judgments behind. Shalom shalom.