Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them…
ROMANS 12:6 (ESV)
Before Jesus died, he told his disciples they would not be left alone, but he would send the Holy Spirit to help them and be with them forever (John 14:16-19). In I Corinthians 12, we learn much more about how the Holy Spirit equips, enables, and empowers the church for the work God has for us to do.
The Apostle Paul starts by saying he doesn’t want his readers to be ignorant about spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:1). If believers are truly confessing ‘Jesus is Lord’ then this is only possible by the Holy Spirit working in their lives, and people who are speaking in the Spirit of God won’t be cursing Jesus (v.3). Paul then goes on to explain that there are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but they all come from one and the same Spirit (v.4). Further, these gifts lead to different kinds of service and works, but it is the same Lord, Jesus, who is ultimately serving, and the same God who is working out his purposes (vv.5-6). We see the Spirit, Son, and Father acting together in unity.
With that divine context, Paul next explains that there are a variety of spiritual gifts and different ones are given to different people. We don’t all have the same gifts. However, all of them are for ‘the common good’ (v.7) – everybody’s gifts are important. As believers, the Holy Spirit gives each of us different gifts, but they are all for the good of the whole body and the work of the gospel. Paul goes on to outline some of the different spiritual gifts, emphasising again that they all come from the same Holy Spirit – and that it is the Spirit who decides how to distribute the gifts between believers (vv.8-11).
Spiritual gifts then are vitally important in enabling the church to function effectively, nurturing believers, and sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. It is
through the Holy Spirit equipping and empowering us that Christ is able to live his life, and do his work through us. Our part is to use the gifts he has given.
Prayer Loving Father, thank you for our gifting. May we use the gifts we have received for the benefit of the church, and for sharing the gospel. In Jesus’s name, Amen.