NEGLECT NOT THE GIFT
Brother James, OIC
1 Timothy 4:13-16 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
The Gifts and the Calling of God is without repentance. God calls and God gives and He doesn't change His mind. BUT we can neglect even to the point of aborting the Gift within if we do not continue in the Faith.
Being works in progress there are times we fall. The devil is quick to remind and accuse us of these failures not wanting us to trust what Christ did on the Cross and what God gave us Faith to believe. Yet God the Father is there awaiting His Prodigal Sons and Daughters with open arms. Why because what He has given us He will not take away but patiently awaits His appointed time as we learn through our mistakes.
The biggest lesson we can learn is found in these verses which keep us using our gifts to help one another get up and move forward.
2 Corinthians 10:3-7 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? if any man trust to himself that he is Christ's, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's.
Many in the Church get caught up self emulation which will cause them to neglect their Gift. They may get in this state through offenses, abuse, self righteousness or evil judgments. These will cause Gift Neglect for years if not confessed and repented from.
We are called to love others as Christ loved us. Do this and the gifts will deliver Power unto Fruit. Today use the Gifts that are in you for Gods Glory and know again the peace of God in your lives.
