Welcome to the first day of the Cor Unum L.U.C.I.E. Fast!
For the next forty days, we will be looking into Scriptural reminders and instructions from several passages in the Epistles. When we catalogue them, we see that they will help us to forsake:
L ethargy
U nbelief
C omplaining
I dolatry
E xcess
The L.U.C.I.E. Fast!
We start with these words from Romans 12, verses 6-8, remembering that they follow hard upon the exhortation to present ourselves as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God:
Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, [let us use them]: if prophecy, [let us] [prophesy] in proportion to our faith; or ministry, [let us use it] in [our] ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
Here is a two-fold lesson for us, calling for twice the “conversatio” (conversion of lifestyle.) We are commended not only to put the gifts of God to good use, but also to make sure that our giftings and graces will be most valuable to others and most powerful in their lives.
Gifts have been given; it is a very good lesson and a good jog to move us from our spiritual lethargies. God didn’t start with “do’s” and “don’ts” in this passage; He started with gifts freely given that we may freely bestow. If we look at them all together, we will speak to others in humble proportion of faith, ministering to others rather than lording anything over them, in teaching and exhortation that come with real help, with generous hearts and diligence and cheerfulness. That sounds like a heart where many could find a welcome!
We are looking at God’s express instructions, and there are several here, but in short, we take what God has given, and we spend it on others in cheerful, humble, gracious, and faithful service and love until they are able to find the gift of God for themselves. No room for complaining, no opportunity for idolatry … instead, we take all the faith we have and employ it to bless those around us, whether speaking or serving. That will help to heal our unbelief and theirs, too! We can always start with this: God loves us and gave His Son to die in our place that we might live and learn to rejoice in Him.
Cor Unum Abbey 