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AUGUST 14
17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for “If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
good things in the sight of all men. If it is pos- If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
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sible, as much as depends on you, live peace- For in so doing you will heap coals of
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ably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge fire on his head.”
yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for
it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome
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says the Lord. Therefore evil with good.
DAY 13: How has God gifted believers to fulfill His purposes?
Romans 12:6–8 describes the general categories of spiritual gifts.These come to us “according
to the grace…given”—undeserved and unmerited. The gift itself (1 Cor. 12:4), the specific way in
which it is used (1 Cor. 12:5), and the spiritual results (1 Cor. 12:6) are all sovereignly chosen by the
Spirit completely apart from personal merit (1 Cor. 12:11).
“Prophecy.”This Greek word means “speaking forth” and does not necessarily include predic-
tion of the future or any other mystical or supernatural aspects. Although some prophets in Acts
did make predictions of future events (11:27,28; 21:10,11), others made no predictions but spoke
the truth of God to encourage and strengthen their hearers (15:32; vv. 22–31). The evidence does
suggest, however, that in the first century, before the New Testament was complete and the sign
gifts had ceased (1 Cor. 13:8; 2 Cor. 12:12; Heb. 2:3,4), this word may have had both nonrevelatory
and revelatory facets. In its nonrevelatory sense, the word “prophecy” simply identifies the skill of
public proclamation of the word of God (1 Cor. 14:3,24,25; 1 Pet. 4:11).“In proportion to our faith.”
Literally,“the faith,”or the fully revealed message or body of Christian faith (Jude 3; 2 Tim. 4:2).The
preacher must be careful to preach the same message the apostles delivered.
“Ministry” (v. 7). From the same Greek word as “deacon” comes from, it refers to those who
serve.This gift, similar to the gift of helps (1 Cor.12:28), has broad application to include every kind
of practical help (Acts 20:35;1 Cor.12:28).“Teaching.”The ability to interpret,clarify,systematize,and
explain God’s truth clearly (Acts 18:24,25; 2 Tim. 2:2). Pastors must have the gift of teaching (1 Tim.
3:2; Titus 1:9; 1 Tim. 4:16); but many mature, qualified laymen also have this gift. This differs from
preaching (prophecy), not in content, but in the unique skill for public proclamation.
“Exhortation”(v. 8).The gift which enables a believer to effectively call others to obey and fol-
low God’s truth.It may be used negatively to admonish and correct regarding sin (2 Tim.4:2) or pos-
itively to encourage, comfort, and strengthen struggling believers (2 Cor. 1:3–5; Heb. 10:24,25).
“Gives, with liberality.”This denotes the sacrificial sharing and giving of one’s resources and self to
meet the needs of others (2 Cor. 8:3–5,9; 11; Eph. 4:28). The believer who gives with a proper atti-
tude does not do so for thanks and personal recognition,but to glorify God (Matt.6:2; Acts 2:44,45;
4:37–5:11;2 Cor.8:2–5).“Leads.”Literally,“standing before.”Paul calls this gift “administrations”(1 Cor.
12:28), a word that means “to guide” and is used of the person who steers a ship (Acts 27:11; Rev.
18:17). Again, the church’s leaders must exercise this gift, but it is certainly not limited to them.
“Shows mercy,with cheerfulness.”One who actively shows sympathy and sensitivity to those in suf-
fering and sorrow and who has both the willingness and the resources to help lessen their afflic-
tions.Frequently,this gift accompanies the gift of exhortation.This attitude is crucial to ensure that
the gift of mercy becomes a genuine help, not a discouraging commiseration with those who are
suffering (Prov. 14:21,31; Luke 4:18,19).

4 And if indeed I have erred,
AUGUST 14 My error remains with me.
If indeed you exalt yourselves against
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me,
Job 19:1–20:29 And plead my disgrace against me,
6 Know then that God has wronged me,
19 Then Job answered and said: And has surrounded me with His net.
“How long will you torment my soul, “If I cry out concerning wrong, I am not
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And break me in pieces with words? heard.
3 These ten times you have reproached If I cry aloud, there is no justice.
me; 8 He has fenced up my way, so that I
You are not ashamed that you have cannot pass;
wronged me. And He has set darkness in my paths.

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