I have started to reread the work of D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
on Romans this year. In the first chapter he speaks about our natural gifts. Natural
gifts have been a point of contention at times among believers. Some have
believed that in Christian Service natural gifts are not as important as
spiritual gifts; even to the point that they are not the same. I have often
questioned that idea. It seems to me that natural gifts are transformed into
spiritual gifts in the life of a believer; however that is not to say the
believer cannot be given new spiritual gifts in addition to natural gifts. But
on natural gifts here are some points that Lloyd-Jones makes:
- There is nothing wrong with natural gifts in and of themselves.
- It is unscriptural and unchristian to decry natural gifts.
- Natural gifts are not done away with or set aside by the Holy Spirit.
- In a Christian, natural gifts are not to be relied upon; they are not to be gloried in. They are for the use of the Master—for His glory.
- The Holy Spirit wants to control them and to use them.
- It is God who gave us the gifts in the first place. The Holy Spirit uses the man who surrenders himself and his gifts to be used by God for His glory.
He concludes: “We all have our gifts, let us therefore hand
them back to Him that He may use them…Let God use the gifts He has given us.”
To which I say, Amen. Let us do so in this New Year.
Source: D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones,
ROMANS: The Gospel of God, Exposition of Chapter 1, Zondervan, Grand Rapids MI
If they do not see your way; they do not see it at all.
ReplyDeleteThanks for you comment. Appreciate it.
DeleteHi Jim, Thank you for this short article. Some years ago I was challenge by my Father-in-law, Doug Le Feber, with a different position altogether on spiritual gifts. For him all of our abilities are given by God; believers and non-believers alike have from God talents, gifts and abilities give by Him. In the case of the non-believer, he does not realize that and don't give God the glory or use his talents, abilities and gifts to bring glory to God. In the case of believers, they "sometimes" realize and can be used by God to accomplish wonderful for things for God knowing that they are. It is also truth that God give more gifts to individuals that once were sinners and now are saved for building up of the church. What do you think of that?
ReplyDeleteJoe Campos
Good to hear from you, Joe I would say my view is similar, but different in two ways. While I see God giving natural gifts to all men, I would point out that these natural talents or gifts to the unsaved are used selfishly...simply for self. The sinners talents are not used for the glory of God, but for self glorification. God can use them for His purpose, but that is not the intent of of the person who has the gifts. Second, I would agree that additional gifts can be given to the believer. You certainly see it in Scripture in such things as tongues (although not for today). That certainly when active that was not from natural gifts, talent or ability. In other cases natural gifts can be used in and supplement new gifts...such as Pastor-teacher. Gifts are not an easy subject to comprehend. However, the above is my general view of gifts.
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