I Corinthians 12:4-7,18
Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal…But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
WILLIAM ARNOT (1808-1875): Everyone whom Christ saves from the world He uses in it. Deserters from the powers of darkness are, one by one as they come over, incorporated in the armies of the living God, and sent back to do battle against their former lord. If you are a Christian, these two things are true of you: first, you have need of Christ, and, second, Christ has need of you. He saves you, and you serve Him. All things are in His hand. Those who are bought with His blood He loves, with a love that is wonderful, passing the love of mothers. He would call them home, and give them rest, if He had not some needful work for them to do in this world. The very fact of a Christian being here and not in heaven, is a proof that some work awaits him.
WILLIAM JAY (1769-1853): The true disciple asks continually, “Lord what wilt thou have me to do?” He esteems it his highest honour to serve the Lord…We see this exemplified in the conversion of Saul of Tarsus, in his way to Damascus. From a furious persecutor, he becomes at once a disciple and an apostle, and from that hour the language of his life was Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?
C. H. MACKINTOSH (1820-1896): We believe that every member of the body has a ministry; and it is by each one knowing his place and his functions in the body, and working effectually therein, that the growth of all is promoted. On the other hand, it is most disastrous for anyone to mistake his line of things, since he not only fails as to his own work but hinders others in theirs.
GEORGE WHITEFIELD (1714-1770): One great matter then is rightly to know to what particular part Jesus Christ has called each of you.
C. H. MACKINTOSH: It is immensely important for each one to know his own proper work.
OCTAVIUS WINSLOW (1808-1878): Probably, in no part of God’s dealings with His people in the perfection of His work more apparent—His wisdom, love, and power more clearly seen—than in fitting them for exact niche in life He had pre-ordained them to fill. And it is no slight mercy for the Christian to have a clear, unmistakable perception of the Lord’s mind concerning this matter; and then, be his mission lowly or exalted, his post of duty one of honour or humiliation, to have grace vouchsafed cheerfully acquiesce, and promptly to obey.
R. C. CHAPMAN (1803-1902): The Lord Jesus always finds service for willing hearts and willing hands: let us desire only that service for which He has fitted us.
MATTHEW HENRY (1662-1714): Moses was fittest of all to govern Israel, but Bezaleel was fitter than he to build the tabernacle. The common benefit is very much supported by the variety of men’s faculties and inclinations; the genius of some leads them to be serviceable one way, of others another way, and all these worketh that one and the self-same Spirit, I Corinthians 12:11. This forbids pride, envy, contempt, and carnal emulation, and strengthens the bond of mutual love.
J. C. RYLE (1816-1900): The church of Christ needs servants of every sort; penknives as well as swords, axes as well as hammers, chisels as well as saws, Marthas as well as Marys, Peters as well as Johns.
C. H. MACKINTOSH: May the Lord give us grace to know our niche and fill it! And may we learn to be content with a very little and a very humble niche. Some one has said, “I never was truly happy until I ceased to wish to be great.” This is a wholesome saying, and one which some of us would do well to ponder.
C. H. SPURGEON (1834-1892): Let no man despise his calling; whatever instrument of usefulness God hath put into thine hand, consider that the Great Captain knew what weapon it were best for thee to wield. Covet not thy neighbour’s sword or spear, but use that which the Lord thy God hath given thee, and go forth to the battle of life to serve according to thy capacity. If thou be placed in this corner of the vineyard or that, consider that thou art in the best place for thyself, and the best for thy Master; and do not always be judging what thy fellow servants ought to do in their place, nor what thou couldst do if thou were in another place; but see what it is that thou canst do where thou art, and use such things as thou hast in glorifying thy Lord and Master.
HENRY CLAY FISH (1820-1877): Each individual has assigned to him of God, a given position and specific duties. The church of Christ contains within itself a post for every man, which he has no right to abandon.
ISAAC WATTS (1674-1748): When true religion falls under a general and remarkable decay, it is time for all that are concerned to awaken and rouse themselves to fresh vigour and activity in their several posts of service…and each of us should enquire, What can I do to strengthen the things which remain and are ready to die, as well as to recover what is lost?
MARTYN LLOYD-JONES (1899-1981): May the Lord guide and keep us! And may our earnest breathing ever be, “Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?”
C. H. SPURGEON: He made you for an end. Find out what that end is; find out your niche, and fill it.
