“There are different spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit gives them. There are different ways of serving, and yet the same Lord is served. There are different types of work to do, but the same God produces every gift in every person.” 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 (GW)
Like most people, I tend to struggle knowing the unique calling God has for my life. But once I understand the gifts he has given me—and the abilities he’s given specifically to me—I can begin pursuing the plans he’s called me to.
The moment I step across the line and put my faith in Christ, God gives me four major gifts:
Forgiveness. Romans 5:15 says, “For the sin of this one man, Adam, brought death to many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ” (NLT). When I put my faith in Jesus, the first thing he does is wipe out everything I’ve ever done wrong. I am forgiven! There is no condemnation.
Eternal life. God has long-range plans for me. The Bible says in Romans 6:23, “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (NIV). I'm never going to work my way or earn my way into heaven. The only way I’ll ever get into heaven is by God’s free gift that I accept by faith.
The Holy Spirit. Romans 5:5 says, “God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us” (NIV). How do I know when I'm letting God live through my life? When I embody the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Special abilities. In the Bible, these special abilities are called spiritual gifts. They are different from material or physical gifts. They’re the abilities I need to do the job that God wants me to do. Most people who are believers don’t even know they have spiritual gifts, much less what those gifts are. But if I'm a follower of Jesus, I do have them!
The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 12:4-6, “There are different spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit gives them. There are different ways of serving, and yet the same Lord is served. There are different types of work to do, but the same God produces every gift in every person” (GW).
God has a purpose for my life, and my spiritual gifts are the tools he gives me to do what he asks. God will never ask me to do something he doesn’t give me the ability to do!
In summary:
While God gives people different gifts, callings, and ways to serve, they all come from the same God and are part of His unified purpose. Though it’s natural to struggle with understanding one’s unique calling, clarity comes by recognizing and embracing the gifts God provides through faith in Christ: forgiveness that removes all condemnation, eternal life that is received by grace, the Holy Spirit who transforms character from within, and spiritual gifts that equip each believer for God’s specific work. These gifts are not accidental or earned but intentionally given, affirming that God has a purpose for every life and always supplies the abilities needed to fulfill what He calls a person to do
Bottom Line:
God has a specific purpose for my life, and He has already given me—through grace and the Spirit—everything I need to fulfill it; my role is to recognize, trust, and faithfully use those gifts.
Next Step:
Intentionally identify and begin using the gifts God has already given me. Spend focused time in prayer and reflection to clarify my spiritual gifts, seek wise counsel or assessment to confirm them, and then take one concrete action this week to serve or lead in a way that aligns with those gifts—trusting that obedience brings clarity as I move forward.
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