One Anothers Part VI: God’s Grace Makes Gifted People Grateful

In Romans 12:6, Paul says,

“Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them.”

That last phrase is key: let us use them. Some Christians act like their spiritual gifts are fine China — it is reserved for special occasions. Others never unwrap them at all. But grace isn’t meant to sit on a shelf.

In Romans 12:7-8, Paul continues to encourage One Anothers (believers) to use their God-given gifts. He says, If you can teach — teach. Do it to the best of your abilities. Constantly improve yourself by being a life-long learner. If you can encourage — speak life. We also refer to it as exhortation. He calls for us to exhort, urge, and encourage other brothers and sisters in the faith.

He goes on to say, If you can give, give freely. It certainly means not to give with a bad attitude or out of a sense of obligation, but to give cheerfully. If you can lead, lead diligently. Not everyone has the right character, patience, or personality for being a good leader. A good leader needs to understand that, sometimes, even they need to follow. Finally, he says If you can show mercy, do it cheerfully. Be merciful with genuine joyfulness and not with insincere reluctance.

You don’t have to do everything. Just do your thing, and do it faithfully. There is, however, one thing that must be kept in mind. It is the need to remember that the catalyst behind your actions must be humility and gratitude. Paul says, “For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith” (Rom. 12:3).

There is something to be said for a heart that understands the sheer magnificence of the grace of God. Even more, there is something about realizing that God’s grace has been extended to you. The point is, given the wonder of God's mercy to you, as a One Another, you are to extend grace to others. Do it in humility and kindness. Do it because you recognize and understand that this is exactly what we are called to do as One Anothers in Christ.

Gratitude shapes the heart. But what does a genuinely loving community actually look like in practice?

→ Read Part 7: The Exhortation

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Grace isn't meant to sit on a shelf — and neither are the gifts it produced in you. Dr. Victor Stanley coaches Christian leaders to lead with gratitude, humility, and faithful stewardship.

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