Spiritual Gifts. That’s the header on chapter 12 in my Bible. What are spiritual gifts?
I get a little nervous about this topic, because it is one that people get pretty passionate about. So if I step on your toes remember two things: first, this is not a full treatment of the topic and second, don’t be afraid to challenge yourself on the basis of God’s Word. Let’s let Him teach us.
One of the things that makes me nervous about spiritual gifts is a prevalent thought that once you identify your spiritual gift, that is the way you will serve in the church. So we have a series of gifts as they listed here in 1 Corinthians 12, but also in Romans 12, Ephesians 4 and 1 Peter 4. There seem to be a thought that all you need to do is figure out which gift is your gift and then you will know how to serve God. Does it stand to reason then that if I don’t have a gift I don’t serve God that way?
I’ve been open that I do not have the gift of evangelism. Does that mean I don’t have to share the love of Jesus with others? Of course not!
Spiritual gifts also sometimes become a point of pride by which we compare ourselves to one another. This was happening in Corinth. Thus Paul’s explanation regarding the body of Christ becomes very important (leading into 1 Corinthians 13 and Paul’s explanation of love.)
An important passage to keep in mind when we talk about spiritual gifts is James 1:17, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights . . . .” Whether you have the gift of evangelism, teaching encouragement, healing, helping, administrating, etc. it is a gift from God. This is also true regarding other gifts people have. Some are mechanics. Some are writers. Yet others are gifted with numbers, logistics, cooking, business, carpentry, art, electronics, medicine, and more. These gifts are usually displayed in our work or, as we can also call it, our vocations. (Consider this passage from Psalm 144 for a moment– “Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle; . . . .” What implications does that have for the whole consideration of gifts?)
God created each of us to be unique, and our gifts – spiritual or otherwise – are part of that uniqueness. Jesus’ blood cleanses our entire lives and now all of those unique gifts can be used in God’s service. How? As the Holy Spirit guides and enlightens us we have the opportunity to show our love for God and our neighbor as we are who God created us to be.
Does what we do declare, “Jesus is Lord!”? How about the way we do it? There are a variety of gifts but the same Spirit calls, gathers and enlightens us as the Children of God. We do well to rejoice in our gifts and use them to God’s glory both in the church and outside. We also do well to give thanks for the gifts God has given to our brothers and sisters in Christ. Together we are able to do much to serve the Lord and share the Good News of God’s love.
I get a little nervous about this topic, because it is one that people get pretty passionate about. So if I step on your toes remember two things: first, this is not a full treatment of the topic and second, don’t be afraid to challenge yourself on the basis of God’s Word. Let’s let Him teach us.
One of the things that makes me nervous about spiritual gifts is a prevalent thought that once you identify your spiritual gift, that is the way you will serve in the church. So we have a series of gifts as they listed here in 1 Corinthians 12, but also in Romans 12, Ephesians 4 and 1 Peter 4. There seem to be a thought that all you need to do is figure out which gift is your gift and then you will know how to serve God. Does it stand to reason then that if I don’t have a gift I don’t serve God that way?
I’ve been open that I do not have the gift of evangelism. Does that mean I don’t have to share the love of Jesus with others? Of course not!
Spiritual gifts also sometimes become a point of pride by which we compare ourselves to one another. This was happening in Corinth. Thus Paul’s explanation regarding the body of Christ becomes very important (leading into 1 Corinthians 13 and Paul’s explanation of love.)
An important passage to keep in mind when we talk about spiritual gifts is James 1:17, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights . . . .” Whether you have the gift of evangelism, teaching encouragement, healing, helping, administrating, etc. it is a gift from God. This is also true regarding other gifts people have. Some are mechanics. Some are writers. Yet others are gifted with numbers, logistics, cooking, business, carpentry, art, electronics, medicine, and more. These gifts are usually displayed in our work or, as we can also call it, our vocations. (Consider this passage from Psalm 144 for a moment– “Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle; . . . .” What implications does that have for the whole consideration of gifts?)
God created each of us to be unique, and our gifts – spiritual or otherwise – are part of that uniqueness. Jesus’ blood cleanses our entire lives and now all of those unique gifts can be used in God’s service. How? As the Holy Spirit guides and enlightens us we have the opportunity to show our love for God and our neighbor as we are who God created us to be.
Does what we do declare, “Jesus is Lord!”? How about the way we do it? There are a variety of gifts but the same Spirit calls, gathers and enlightens us as the Children of God. We do well to rejoice in our gifts and use them to God’s glory both in the church and outside. We also do well to give thanks for the gifts God has given to our brothers and sisters in Christ. Together we are able to do much to serve the Lord and share the Good News of God’s love.
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