RR Our Spheres and Our Faithfulness By David Harwood

Shavuah Tov,

Probably the most well-known illustration of people recognizing, and supporting, one another’s spheres is found in the remarkable disclosure of Paul in Galatians.
 
On the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted with the Good News for the uncircumcised just as Peter was for the circumcised. (For the same God who was at work in Peter as an emissary to the Jews, also was at work in me as a[n] emissary to the Gentiles.) Realizing the favor that had been given to me, Jacob and Peter and John—who are the recognized pillars—shook hands in partnership with Barnabas and me, so that we would go to the Gentiles and they to the Jews. (Galatians 2:7–9)
 
Now, I never took notice that Peter was not alone in this sphere. Certainly, Jacob/James was set in place to minister primarily to the Jewish people. But John? John too? According to Paul, John too. It changes the way I read his writings. However, for our immediate purpose it is enough to note that there were two specific spheres recognized, and two groups of people devoted to each sphere. To those who were descended from the Patriarchs, Jacob, Peter, and John. To those who were outside the Abrahamic covenant, Barnabas and Paul.
 
So, what do we have? Recognized spheres of influence. Recognized spheres of responsibility. Mutually recognized spheres of influence and responsibility – and koinonia – mutual support, with mutual respect. They recognized that it was God who entrusted these spheres to one another.
 
What about us? What if our spheres are not apostolic calls to Israel and the nations? What if our sphere is something like… giving money? Let’s look again at Romans 12.
 
For through the grace given me, I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of yourself than you ought to think—but to use sound judgment, as God has assigned to each person a measure of faith. (Romans 12:3)
 
Through God’s enabling favor we have received an allotment of faith, and through that faith we also have received a sphere of service. The faith empowers the gift, and it is possible that our faithfulness influences the extent of our sphere. What we receive faith for determines what we do.
 
Examples of this are found in verses 6-8.
 
We have gifts that differ according to the grace that was given to us—if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; or the one who teaches, in his teaching; or the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who gives, in generosity; the one who leads, with diligence; the one who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. (Romans 12:6–8)
 
We have seen examples of apostles being faithful within their allotted spheres. They believed their calling. They acted upon their faith. They were faithful. What about us?
 
Consider this: there is a calling within the gifts. We are called to wisely estimate what has been given to us as manifestations of favor (charismata) and be zealously faithful in exercising the gift we’ve been given.
 
Consider Paul’s estimation of the value of faithfulness.
 
However, I don’t consider my life of any value, except that I might finish my course and the office I received from the Lord Yeshua, to declare the Good News of the grace of God. (Acts 20:24)
 
Paul took his call seriously. He received his sphere with gratitude and sought to steward it for the sake of the King and His people. It is righteous to seek to be faithful to the calling upon our lives and that calling is often manifested through the gifts we have been given. We offer ourselves to God as living sacrifices through a righteous response to the mercies of God.
 
I urge you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice—holy, acceptable to God—which is your spiritual service. Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:1–2)
 
How? Through having our minds renewed as to our assigned purpose within the believing community. Having a sane estimate of ourselves, counting the cost, and going forward in life as servants of God, living sacrifices.
 
Our gifts and spheres may not be the earth-shaking equivalents of someone like Paul, but the same faithfulness the apostles showed is appropriate to our spheres as well.

Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Sun      01-Nov-2026             21st of Cheshvan, 5787
Ge 23:1-16                 Jdg 3               Ps 26               Mt 21:23-46   (Ro 4)