To conclude: for a number of reasons, most Christians of today do not understand their role in the Body of Christ. They do not understand the importance of their calling as a saint.

They do not realize the Holy Spirit has given them supernatural enablements for which they will be held responsible in the Day of Christ.

They look to the priest or pastor as being an intermediary between them and God, as being especially holy, as being responsible to live before God in a special way. This is not to be true of any member of the Body of Christ. We have one Master, one intermediary between us and God, the Lord Jesus Christ.

However, there are billions of people in the world whom God loves who do not know their left hand from their right as far as God is concerned. It is our role as a Christian to bring the Presence, help, love, and sometimes judgment of God to them. Every Christian is a priest and king, although the scope of our authority and power is limited at the present.

All of us are to think soberly according to the faith that has been given to us. We are not to get ahead of the Lord or fall behind the Lord. We always are to pray, meditate in the Word of God, and worship. This is our role as a royal priest.

No natural ability of ours will serve to form Christ in an individual or to bring the witness of God to the world. The Spirit may touch a natural gift that we possess, anoint it, and bless it. Then our gift will serve to build up Christ in ourselves and in others, and be a witness to the world.

All Kingdom work of eternal significance is done only by the Holy Spirit of God. In our day, in which the hosts of demons are swarming to the attack, we can no longer play our church games. We must hear from God. We must place our body on the altar of God as a living sacrifice. We must cry out "not my will but Yours be done" concerning every issue, every decision, of every day and night of our life.

The Judge has drawn near to the world, and especially to His Church. He is intent on developing saints who have been delivered from worldliness, lust, and self-will, who have had Christ formed in them, who are filled with the Person of God and His will, who have been proven faithful. Only these are qualified and competent to return with Him in the clouds of glory.

The members of the Body of Christ cannot possibly come to maturity apart from that which every part supplies. Therefore those of us who are leaders and elders must seek the Lord constantly until the believers know their gifts and ministries and are serving in their respective roles.

Such is the burden of the Spirit today, as we are aware of it. May God empower us to work His will in the present hour. (from Gifts and Ministries)