Functions Vary
FUNCTIONS VARY
ROMANS 12:6-8
What is your gift? Are you using it?
Verse 6. Prophecy is that informed exposition of Christian truth which was of prime importance in the church before the New Testament was complete. Prophecy differed from teaching by its possessing a special and historically transient sense of functioning under guidance and inspiration. It consequently needed control by reason and by faith. A balanced faith could preserve a person with “prophetic” gifts from the temptation to exaggerate or distort. Let the “prophet,” Paul says, deliver the full truth as their apprehension of Christ provides the insight. May such a person keep their faith strong and whole, their personal commitment to Christ complete, and in such humble integrity speak out and the result will be building up the body of Christ.
12:7. “If our gift is service, let us exercise it in its proper sphere, and likewise if our gift is teaching.” This translation leaves open, as the Greek word allows, the question which has bothered some whether such service is given within the sphere of the Christian community, or in society at large. Within the church the tasks which confront those called to serve (and who is not?) are many. Problems of family, housing, the aged, the difficulties of mothers, widows, orphans, the lonely, the sick, the poor, and other tasks of mutual aid, are too often neglected because too many fail to take seriously a call to a Christian function in practical service.
And what about teaching? Neglect of thought and study is a widespread source of weakness. No ministry prospers which neglects the teaching function. A well-taught congregation is a stable community. Teaching, too, functions on many levels. It demands much and too few pay the price.
12:8. Encouragement flows from an ardent personality. It is something added to prophecy and teaching. But it must be natural, not forced. Unerringly Paul touches the fault which pursues each virtue. Let the rich be liberal, but without ulterior motives. “May leaders lead with zeal,” never asking their followers to do what they hesitate to do themselves. Let those who show mercy not spoil their service with mournfulness or artificial heartiness.
Notice how “balanced soundness of mind” keeps every virtue and activity sweet. Each gift can be spoiled by its own inherent exaggeration, or the spoiling interference of self.