In June, Pastor Alex discussed spiritual gifts in her sermons and devotionals. The 9:30am Sunday all-church adult class Blessed continues to discuss spiritual gifts but turns its focus in July to how spiritual gifts are related to our talents, individual personalities, dreams for what could be, and life experiences. How do we serve from our own created uniqueness in community together? One of our texts for this coming Sunday is 1 Peter 4:8-11 (NRSV):

Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaining. Like good stewards of the manifold of the grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. Whoever speaks must do so as one speaking the very words of God; whoever serves must do so with the strength that God supplies, so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ.  To him belongs the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen

This section of the epistle (letter), traditionally attributed to the apostle Peter, addresses the believers as community and continues our discussion on serving from our spiritual gifts (see bolded text). He contends that the Christian life and our growing in holiness depends not just on love for God, but on “love for one another” and living in community with others. John Wesley, founder of Methodism, wrote that “the gospel of Christ knows of no religion, but social; no holiness but social holiness.” (Works vol. 12, “Hymns and Sacred Poems,” Preface ¶ 5) Wesley was skeptical of private devotion and piety being our sole discipline in the Christian life. Of course that practice is important, but not as our only practice. Instead, exercising our faith in communal life together remains just as important by giving us purpose and space for being hospitable, by serving from our giftedness, and by realizing that we are stewards of God’s gift of grace in the world. Our motivation comes from focusing on God, not ourselves. Practicing our faith in community keeps us accountable and connects us with God in a unique way.

In my sermon last Sunday, I encouraged you to read Romans 12:1-18 each day as a way to frame your Christian “superhero pose” toward the world. This goes right in line with 1 Peter’s words and shared theme. And so, as you contemplate on scripture this week, be open to what the Holy Spirit has for you in these words, in your meditation time, and within the communities you share throughout the week. Allow God to affirm your own giftedness and guide you in how you serve. My prayer is that we can all grow in understanding our giftedness related to our growth in “social holiness” together, in the name of Jesus Christ with whom we receive the power forever and ever. Amen

Tags: spiritual gifts, social holiness