Episode 522: Building Up in Love

We were made to build the church. God made each one of  us with unique talents, personalities and skill sets. And when we ask Jesus into our lives, we are given at least one spiritual gift. We get the most joy and make the biggest difference when we use our God-given talents, gifts and abilities to build the church.

Ephesians 2:8–9 makes it clear that we are not saved by good works. In fact, before we are saved, our works are done in the flesh and cannot please God; even our most “righteous” deeds fall far short of God’s glory (see Romans 3:20 and Isaiah 64:6). We can be saved only because God is gracious and merciful and has designed a way for us to be declared righteous when we are not (Psalm 86:5; Ephesians 2:4). But once we are saved, there will be a difference between the old life without Christ and the new life in Christ. The born-again Christian produces “fruit in keeping with repentance” (Matthew 3:8). Salvation enables us to live “in the Spirit” and so truly perform good works (Galatians 5:16). And good works that involve us serving others produce blessings in our lives.

For today’s top ten list, we explore “10 Blessings We Experience By Serving Others.” Additional scriptures referenced include Ephesians 4:11-16; 1 Corinthians 12; Philippians 2:3-4; 1 Peter 4:10-11; Matthew 25:40; Hebrews 10:24-25; and Ephesians 3:20.