Every aspect of the Christian redemption is an opportunity. If the calling is to be fulfilled there must be the proper response on the part of the individual.

If we would be a profitable servant we must wait on the Lord's will continually; we must refuse to be conformed to this world; we must be transformed by the renewing of our mind as we turn away from the communications offered by the world and fill our thoughts with that which builds us up in Christ. We must prove God's will for our life.

If we would be a profitable servant, able to minister successfully to the members of the Body of Christ, we must evaluate how much faith God has given us and then set our expectations accordingly. God does not require of any believer that he or she launch out into some grand and imposing scheme, challenging God to do great things. God requires only that we obey Him in whatever role He assigns to us whether it be great or small. God will give us enough faith to carry out His will.

Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; (Romans 12:6)

In the above verse we notice two aspects of ministry. First, the emphasis is on variety. We have gifts "differing according to the grace that is given to us." We are not all teachers. We are not all workers of miracles. We are not all in positions of administration. We must present our body a living sacrifice if we are to be able to discover and enter our assigned task in building the Body of Christ.

Second, we are encouraged to practice our gifts and ministry. There is a necessary balance here. We do not wait for the Lord to force us to do something. We wait before Him, in the meantime coveting earnestly the gift or ministry that is on our heart.

When it seems appropriate, we may take a small step toward the activity we think the Lord is suggesting. Then we are to examine carefully the results, meanwhile looking to the Lord. If the results seem to be fruitful, we may take another small step, and so forth.

The pastor of our church may ask us to do something. Unless we have strong reasons for not complying, we should look to the Lord for guidance and grace to do what has been requested.

Perhaps the strongest reason there are not more gifts and ministries operating in the Christian assemblies is that the leaders and congregations alike do not expect them to function. The leaders and people are not determined that the various gifts and ministries be in operation.

There certainly is a Hell and there certainly is a Heaven. But if you will examine the New Testament you will find there is little emphasis on saving sinners from Hell and getting them into Heaven. The emphasis of the New Testament is on gaining eternal life. The wages of sin is not Hell but death. The gift of God is not Heaven but eternal life.

To be continued.