Page 51 - In His Image

Colossians 3:23-24

"And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that
from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord
Christ."
1 Corinthians 10:31
"Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."

The use of the gifts was never intended to bring glory, esteem or honor to us! As

we use our gift(s) to bless others, we are blessing God. Matthew 25:40 affirms this
truth...
"And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did
it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’"

Principle 3: After the gift has been received and its true value perceived, the gift
must be used. Receiving and perceiving in the absence of using means nothing.
How often have we used the word potential when describing a baseball player? The
minor leagues are full of players with great potential. The majors are full of players
who have "delivered" on that potential! Potential alone does not get a player from
the minors to the majors. No, that potential must manifest in a tangible way to
produce homeruns, hits, strikeouts etc. Potential exists in possibility; it suggests
actuality but does not guarantee it. The same is true of our spiritual gifts. The
potential in us, although God given, must be exercised to produce "fruit." The gift
of the Holy Spirit, the gift of knowledge, exhortation or ministry if unused by the
believer, brings no glory to God. Potential does not bring glory to our Father nor
does it advance His kingdom, nor make a single disciple.
Scripture says it this way in James 1:22...
"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”

I would like to examine Isaiah 61:1-3 from the standpoint of potential which yields
action/fruit.
"The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach
good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty
to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; To proclaim the
acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who
mourn, to console those who mourn in Zion, to

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