2 Corinthians 13:4

2 Corinthians 13:4 - For to be sure, Christ was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by God’s power. Likewise, we are weak in Him, yet by God’s power we will live with Him to serve you.

         In order to live on earth and be like us Jesus was made weak. He was made like us in every way, yet He was without sin. How did He do it? He surrendered His life completely to God. Christ did not find His own strength to make it through everything; He had to rely on God’s strength and power.

        When Jesus went to the cross it showed His weakness; it showed His human side. He was crucified in weakness, but then God’s power was made complete in Him through resurrection. Now He lives by God’s power.

        We too must recognize that we are weak. In our own power and ability there is nothing that we can do. Yet just as Christ was able to live by God’s power, we also can live by God’s power through Him.

        For the last couple of chapters Paul has been talking about weaknesses. He tells us that if he is going to boast, then he will boast in his weak areas. See, Paul understood that it is only when we see ourselves as we truly are that God can use us. When we see ourselves as weak it allows us to completely rely on God, because we know that we cannot do it on our own.

        Let me explain it this way, if we think we are strong enough to handle something on our own, we will never ask for help. And without God’s help in an area His glory will not be able to shine through us. When we are trying to do things in our own ability we will ultimately fail. Even if we make it for a while, it will not last. Surrender to God and find your ability through Him.

1 Corinthians 12:4-6

1 Corinthians 12:4-6 - There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.

We all have our own method of doing things. There are so many talents in the world that we cannot count them all. I may be good at one thing, while you excel at another. When you and I look at the same job we may see a different way of getting it done, based on our talents. That’s ok. It doesn’t matter what method is used, what matter is whether or not God is in it.
When we are living for God, He is going to speak to us differently. Based on the talents He has given us we will serve Him differently. You may sing, I might set up chairs; they are different things, but both are equally important if you are doing it for God. There are many ways that we can serve God; the important thing is that we are working in our giftings.
When we work together in the gifting that we have been given God is glorified. It is important to serve God with your talents. One way to do that is by serving others. When you help others, God is glorified through that as well.
Helping and serving others is much like what we were talking about with serving God. It will look different based on your talents and giftings. For example, say you and I see a family that is in need. They are going through a lot in their life and don’t have a lot of extra time. You may see that as an opportunity to cook them a meal and help them out that way. I may look at the same situation and see that their lawn needs mowed and do that for them.
Are either one of these acts of service any better than the other? No, both are needed; both are an opportunity to glorify God. We have both operated in our talents and met the need of a hurting family. Think about it this way, would it do any good for me to cook a meal for this family if I can’t cook? No, of course not. It would have been done with a good motive, but it would be impractical because no one would eat the meal I provided. In the end no needs would have been met.
That is why it so important to operate in your giftings. Then, when you serve one another it is both with a good motive and it is practical. It meets the need and glorifies God.