Romans 12:6-8 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

The best gift that God has given you is a measure of faith. Your relationship with Christ started as a gift from God. Jesus said:  “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him…” (John 6:44). You responded. That was saving faith.

You are now called to exercise living faith for “the just shall live by faith” It begins with our spiritual act of worship – the offering up of our bodies as living sacrifices holy and pleasing to God. (See Romans 12:1) Our bodies are really the only thing we own and over which we have some control, hence we need to be conscious about what we do with it and to it. The apostle Paul challenges us: Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness.” (Romans 6:13)

The next battlefield is the mind: “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2).

It is the yielded body and a mind that is renewed daily by the Holy Spirit which will allow us to live by faith and exercise all the other gifts that God has given us in a way that pleases him. We often think of people as gifted only if they are able to demonstrate great prowess at what they do. But in Romans 12: 8 Paul explained that different gifts are given to each of us by the grace of God to be exercised in proportion to our faith. This will result in better health and unity in the body of Christ in much the same way each part of the physical body, by its unique function, contributes to the whole. Identify and exercise the gift(s) that God has given you.