BASICly
“Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.”
Today’s Text: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 (Living Life Daily Devotional)
Churches seem to either overemphasize the gifts of the Spirit or underemphasize the gifts of the Spirit. Either way, what churches seem to forget or lose sight of is that “to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good”—that is, the church. The gifts are for building each other up, since we are the body of Christ.
Churches that overemphasize the gifts have a tendency to discount people down who lack certain types of gifts (usually the charismatic gifts, like tongues, word of knowledge, etc.). Churches that underemphasize the gifts just don’t promote a culture of service and building up the church and one another.
Also, a healthy attitude toward the manifestation of gifts should acknowledge that the Holy Spirit is completely in control of what gifts are given to whom and when. People can have only one gift according to the will of the Spirit or many gifts. A person can have one gift one day and have a different gift another day according to the will of the Spirit. We can ask for gifts, but the Holy Spirit determines if we should receive the gifts we ask for.
The Holy Spirit is in charge. And the Holy Spirit’s agenda (as far as the word of God reveals it) is to glorify God through the building up of the body of Christ.
In other words, we are not in charge of the gifts. And the gifts are not for our own personal glory or edification. Gifts are given to other people for our edification.
I must admit, though, I have never done a thorough study of the gifts of the Spirit in the Scriptures, so the observations above are just that. Even so, the Holy Spirit must be completely in charge, otherwise people with skills and talents will get a big head.
BASICly, what all believers need more of (including myself!) is a passion to serve the Lord and to build up His church. Along with that, what we all need more of is love for others and humility in regard to ourselves.
As someone once said, humility is not thinking less of oneself, but humility is thinking about oneself less—in other words, thinking of others more. And in particular, we ought to think of our Lord’s desires above all things. What does Jesus want of me? What does His word tell me that He wants of me?
Any talents and skills that are exercised in the church outside of those parameters are not gifts of the Spirit, and they do not promote the common good, and they do not build up the church. Apart from the spiritual parameters given to us, talents and skills are just tools for showing off.
Father, every good and perfect gift comes from You. How much more so the gifts of the Spirit that You give to us for the sake of Your glory, for the sake of building up Your church, Your people. Give us a healthy perspective concerning our gifts. Grow our passion to serve You and our zeal to build up Your church. In Jesus’s name. Amen.
