Paul did not speak as a shepherd giving his sheep general suggestions, but he gave a final, clear order to all the enemies of the church all around the world.
Do not think of yourself higher than you actually are, but be aware that you in yourself are nothing, and that you may be harmful to others. Know your spiritual gift, and hear Christ’s calling to a specific service. Do not do what you please, but obey the guidance of Christ, not emotionally, but deliberately, taking into consideration the guidance of those who are spiritually mature.
The measure of your service is not your gift, but is, in fact, the extent of your faith in Christ, for he is able to accomplish his desire in your services. His power is the secret of your works. Therefore, think, speak, and do everything with Jesus and in him, and you will see the fruits of his love in your life.
The secret of successful Christians is their spiritual unity. This unity is not earthly, but is spiritual in Christ. They are like the spiritual body of their Redeemer; that is, Christ performs his works through them. None of them works alone to be celebrated, but all are one in the unity of the sanctified. Christ is your power, and you are perfected in him. Nobody has all the gifts. In the body of Christ, the leg needs the heart, the hand the head, the eye the will, and the finger the order of the brain. Therefore, the church body can only be effectual if each of its members listens to the others, and they serve the Lord together.
How foolish is it to have your hand working against the will of your mind, or to walk towards a pit in spite of seeing it with your eyes? He who does not learn how to cooperate with all the members of his body remains selfish, poor, small, and stupid.
Paul mentions the spiritual gifts in a certain church. He, who wakens those who are asleep, must not only speak in human compassion, leaving the Holy Bible aside, but he must abide by the limits of the word of God, and win individuals to Jesus deliberately.
If anyone has the ability, time, and money, then he should serve the needy in the church. He must not talk much, but work and serve silently in complete secrecy, without expecting others to serve him or thank him, but serving them in the wisdom of Christ. The spiritual teacher must arrange the thoughts given by the Spirit of God and the gospel, teach them gradually to his hearers, and help them not only to understand, but also to keep the word of God. It is not important to teach many subjects, but to teach gradually; not to speak like a waterfall, and in the end leaving his hearers without understanding all his speech, but to give at the end of each subject a summary of what he said in a simple and understandable style.
If anyone has the gift of spiritual care and guidance, he must learn to be silent, and listen to the problems of others that he may recognize their spiritual position. Then, he should not speak starting from his own thoughts, but he must pray that the Lord may give him the right words in due time. It is necessary for him to visit those who are concerned with the salvation of Christ, pray for them, and trust them until they become friends in Christ.
Paul said that he who contributes must contribute prudently and silently, without even telling the needy about himself and his help. Jesus said: “Do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing”. Therefore, do not serve your own honor, but the honor of Jesus only.
If anyone is responsible for leadership in a church, or in one of its committees, he must not be affected by the objection, criticism, or slowness of the others, but show them that the service of Jesus must be performed with power, energy, and perseverance. Anything which is not performed with love is false.
As a summary of these gifts and services, Jesus said: “Be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful” (Luke 6:36).
Paul wants to introduce us to this kind of divine thought, saying: “Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men”. Love is the emblem and motto of Christianity.