The Sign Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 1 Corinthians 12:7 Because of our culture—because of Christmas gifts and birthday gifts and graduation gifts and Valentine’s gifts, etc.—we tend to think that when we get a gift, it’s for us to enjoy. In God’s Kingdom, gifts are never for us. They’re always for others. 1 Corinthians chapters 12-14 contain the fullest discussion of spiritual gifts in the Bible. If you haven’t studied these chapters recently, do so. They’re pivotal to understanding the nature and role of spiritual gifts. Verse 7, to be so brief, offers a world of great insight into spiritual gifts: They’re given. You’re not born with spiritual gifts. They’re not like talents. They’re given to you as part of the Holy Spirit’s deposit in you when you first believe in Jesus (see Ephesians 1:13-14). They’re universal. By that I mean that all Christians have them. Paul said they were given to each one. That includes you and me. We all have spiritual gifts and we are all accountable for them. They reveal God’s Spirit. Gifts manifest the Spirit of God. Because they enable us to do work we wouldn’t otherwise be able to do, and because the fruit of our gifts lasts into eternity, they reflect their real true source—the Holy Spirit. They’re for others, not us. Paul said they benefit the common good. He means the Church. Gifts aren’t meant to make us more popular Christians or bring us more earthly glory. Gifts are designed to benefit the direct object of their use. Thus, the Church needs your gifts for it to be healthy. And, you equally need the gifts of others around you. Thus, God has created a beautiful interdependence in his Body by his design of spiritual gifts. Do you know what your spiritual gifts are? Study the passages in Romans 12, Ephesians 4, 1 Corinthians 12 and 1 Peter 4. Get familiar with them. Pray and ask God to reveal your gifts to you. Ask others who are familiar with the scriptures what gifts they see in you. Go online and take several spiritual gift surveys
Posted on: Thu, 21 Nov 2013 11:27:04 +0000
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