Christian Response-Ability!
“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; 6and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” Corinthians 12: 4-7
Jesus said: “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5: 16
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
Praise and thanks to God that the light of God has come into the world through Jesus Christ our Lord. And we who have heard and believed in the Good News, who have been Baptized into Christ Jesus, have received the light of God into our very lives through the gift of the Holy Spirit. Each of us has been given a variety of gifts and talents, a “manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” Stop for a moment and think: your gifts and talents are a manifestation of the Spirit of God, given to you for a purpose. God’s purpose is two-fold: first, so that others may see your good works and give glory to God; and, secondly, for the common good of building people up in the love of Christ. Our response-ability as Christians is to let the light of Christ shine before others through putting our gifts and talents to work in loving service of our neighbors for the common good of building up the Body of Christ, and giving glory to God. As Martin Luther wrote, “Behold, from faith thus flows forth love and joy in the Lord, and from love a joyful, willing, and free mind that serves one’s neighbor willingly…(The Freedom of a Christian, M. Luther).” Too often, however, instead of living by the law of faith in Christian love and service, with everyone putting their gifts and talents to work in glorifying God through serving the neighbor, we follow the laws and attitudes of this world. One challenging worldly law to overcome is what is called the “80/20” rule. This rule of the world states that 80% of the work that needs to be done is accomplished by only 20% of the people. The “80/20” rule seems to apply universally to PTA’s, scouting, sports leagues, and businesses. When we settle on living by this worldly “80/20” rule in the church, however, we are “hiding our light under a bushel.” We immediately sing out, “OH NO! I’M GONNA LET IT SHINE!”
Jesus Christ has given to each of you His light, along with your many gifts and talents, and calls you forth to use your gifts in loving service! This is what our Joyful Servants ministry is all about – it is the expectation that every member of this church Joyfully Serve by helping with some aspect of our Sunday morning worship services. That’s not the only avenue to joyful service in the church either. There’s teaching, singing, leading a small group, counting offerings, serving on a committee, or on the church council. There’s feeding starving children, filling up the food shelf or a special package for a soldier overseas, putting together Thanksgiving baskets, or visiting a shut-in.
My challenge to each of you is to find ways for you to “LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE” by putting your gifts and talents to good purpose here at Christus Victor. We need every Christian disciple to work together in the ministry and mission Christ has given to us, “Serving Christ and Community with Faith, Love, and Open Arms.” Christ is calling you!
In the light of Christ,
Pastor Kent Claussen Gubrud
