Month: April 2025

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A Bunch of Bananas?

Raised in China, our dear friend recalled this wit and wisdom from his grandmother, “Older is better, unless you’re a banana.” I chuckle whenever it comes to mind. Indeed, maturity is a wonderful thing. To students, it means deeper understanding. To artists, more authenticity, perhaps. To speakers, increased persuasion. To weightlifters, growth means stronger; to swimmers, faster; and to all, wiser. But what does maturity look like to believers? In a word, closer.

In last week’s post, we marveled at the Spirit’s gifting us as members of a team, each of us individually equipped for the good of the whole. Our giftings create a diversity among us, but not unto division. Yet our unity does not mean conformity, for each of us is unique. Then together we grow, a collective with many members. Paul explains that Jesus gifted some believers — pastors and teachers, for instance — “to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.”1 So, even as we serve God and people in His name, we ourselves continue to develop and mature. And Christian maturity manifests itself in oneness; unity is the true mark of maturity in Christ, who is the head of us all, His church.

Then how must we mature? First, remain anchored in God’s Word. Paul exhorts us to “grow up in every way . . . into Christ”2 so that “we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.”3 And Jesus taught that, some hear the Word, “but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. But . . . those with a noble and good heart . . . hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.”4 That’s growth; that’s maturity. Then so anchored in the Word, we set our sights on what lasts. Paul writes, “Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things.”5

Yes, older is better when maturity comes with it. (Or are we just bananas?)

Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you. — 2 Corinthians 13:11 NLT

Father, grow us up through the power of Your Word as Your Kingdom — our destination — draws near. In Christ we pray. Amen.

1 Ephesians 4:12-13 NLT, emphasis added
2 Ephesians 4:15 ESV
3 Ephesians 4:14 ESV
4 Luke 8:14-15 NIV
5 Philippians 3:13-15 NLT

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About Our Spiritual Gifts

The NFL draft starts tomorrow. For months, pro football coaches and general managers have been assessing college players’ athletic abilities and character traits with an eye toward strengthening team weaknesses. Some teams need a quick-thinking quarterback with pinpoint accuracy. Some seek linemen — behemoths with both the heft to open a running lane and the agility to drop back into pass protection. Others lack defensive backs who can go stride for stride against receivers with world class speed. The meat market shopping list goes on, each position demanding its own attributes. We gawk at these individual athletes, but winning depends on team unity, the resolve of each to commit to the whole.

So it is with the body of Christ: “A spiritual gift is given to each of us,”1 and “It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have.”2 Then each believer’s individual giftedness leads to a collective diversity among us, some of us spiritually graced with wisdom, others teaching, others mercy — a host of spiritual manifestations bestowed among believers in Christ Jesus. Yet diversity in the body of Christ must not lead to division amid it. Paul uses an anatomical analogy: “There are many parts, but only one body. The eye can never say to the hand, ‘I don’t need you.’ The head can’t say to the feet, ‘I don’t need you.’”3 (And no quarterback in his right mind would ever tell his blindside tackle, “I don’t need you.”) Yes, there is diversity in Christ, but never unto division.  

Nor may our unity in Christ translate into conformity among us. Paul writes: “If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything?”4 (If the entire offense were wide receivers lined up to sprint downfield, who would ever snap the ball to begin the play?) “But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it.”5

So now what? Peter speaks: “Use [your spiritual gifts] well to serve one another. Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies.”6 Is teaching truly your gift? Then guide the church in the full Word of God. Is it hospitality? Then welcome others with honor into your peaceful oasis of rest. If you are a gifted administrator, leaders need you to bring order to their visionary chaos. Then as we serve each other through our gifts, Peter promises this: “Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ.”7 Isn’t this what we want? Isn’t this our purpose?

(And doesn’t the NFL draft feel a little smaller now?)

Father, thank You not only for including us in Your plan, but also for gifting each one of us for our part in it. May we devote ourselves entirely to Your Kingdom call. In Christ we pray. Amen.

1 1 Corinthians 12:7 NLT, emphasis added
2 1 Corinthians 12:11 NLT, emphasis added
3 1 Corinthians 12:20-21 NLT
4 1 Corinthians 12:17 NLT  
5 1 Corinthians 12:18 NLT
6 1 Peter 4:10-11 NLT
7 1 Peter 4:11 NLT)

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Fan the Flame Within

It was a cringe-worthy moment, for sure. God had chosen Saul to be Israel’s king, saying to the prophet Samuel, “This is the man I spoke to you about; he will govern my people.”1 When it came time to introduce the sovereign to his subjects, however, Saul “was not to be found.”2 They inquired of the Lord as to Saul’s whereabouts, to which God replied, “He has hidden himself among the supplies.”3 So the people “ran and brought him out.”4 Talk about an inauspicious beginning! The man was anointed to lead, but he chose instead to hide.

The Bible teaches us “There are different kinds of spiritual gifts”5 and they are “given to each of us so we can help each other.”6 The Spirit is “the source of them all,”7 and “He alone decides which gift each person should have.”8 Leadership is one such gift,9 and there are a host of others — teaching, helps, encouragement, and evangelism, to name a few.10 So, again, we all have at least one spiritual gift, the Spirit apportions them just as He chooses, and by them we help each other. Some of us know our spiritual gifts, and for those who do not, there are various resources to help you discover them, including your fellow believers who are closest to you.11

Then regardless of what gifts we have been given, Peter exhorts us to use them. “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another.”12 Now, it is easy to forget about the gifts imparted to us or to neglect them, leaving us less effective in Kingdom work, so twice the apostle Paul redirected his young protégée Timothy back to his spiritual gifts: “fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you,”13 and again, “Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received.”14

What might it look like when we all operate in the power of our spiritual gifts? Paul gives us a glimpse: “If God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.”15 Imagine the impact when each of us “fans into flames the gifts God has given us.”

So let’s not neglect our gifts or hide from serving in them. Instead, may we discover them, remember them, stir them up, and use them boldly. Today.

Father, send Your Spirit to reveal the gifts given to each of us, and lead us to serve boldly in Your power wherever You direct us today. Be glorified in your Church. In Christ we pray. Amen.

1 1 Samuel 9:17 NIV
2 1 Samuel 10:21 NIV
3 1 Samuel 10:22 NIV
4 1 Samuel 10:23 NIV
5 1 Corinthians 12:4 NLT
6 1 Corinthians 12:7 NLT
7 1 Corinthains 12:4 NLT
8 1 Corinthians 12:11 NLT
9 Romans 12:8
10 Note: To develop a list of spiritual gifts, see 1 Corinthians 12:8-10, 1 Corinthians 12:28, Romans 12:6-8, Ephesians 4:11, and 1 Peter 4:9-10.
11 Note: “Discover Your Spiritual Gifts the Network Way” by Bruce Bugbee is an example of a spiritual gifting discovery resource.
12 1 Peter 4:10-11 ESV
13 2 Timothy 1:5-7 ESV
14 1 Timothy 4:14 NLT
15 Romans 12:6-8 NLT