Spiritual Gifts

“Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.” 1 Corinthians 12:1

God, through the Holy Spirit, gives men gifts. Spiritual gifts are provided for the edification, exhortation, and comfort of the body of Christ. These spiritual gifts are for service to the body of Christ. Believers are not to be ignorant regarding the use of spiritual gifts. Like little children, who at times can show off the gift they were given, this is not the purpose of spiritual gifts. It is through the love of God that we, as believers, are given these wonderful gifts in the first place. We are not to misuse these gifts. Although I have witnessed people lord their gifts over others shamefully.

The apostle Paul explains that there are diversities of operations of the gifts, but the same Lord [see 1 Corinthians 12:4-5]. The manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit [see 1 Corinthians 12:7]. These gifts are diverse and bestowed by the same Spirit, under the Lord Jesus Christ, and worked through by God. Everyone is to profit from these gifts. The gifts are the word of wisdom, word of knowledge, faith, healing, the working of miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, various kinds of tongues, and interpretation of tongues [1 Corinthians 12:8-12]. It is the Holy Spirit who divides these gifts to those within the body of Christ according to his will. I have seen the body of Christ fight over these gifts and claim certain gifts for themself. This is not what the Lord intended for how the gifts were to be used. Every believer is a member of the body of Christ. No one is left out of the picture when it comes to receiving gifts within the body of Christ.

We have all been baptised into one body, but have many members within that body. Every member has an important ministry to offer to its fellow members. We, as members of the body, do not choose the gifts that God has given us. The gifts are provided by the Holy Spirit. The gifts are for service in the body to help and profit the body of Christ. The gifts are used to care for each other and not for divisions within the body. They are given to help the body of Christ grow. To help bring unity in whatever the body may lack. These gifts help nurture the body of Christ. Look at verse 24 of 1 Corinthians chapter 12, Paul states that God hath tempered the body together. Tempered after going through the fire of purification to remove what is hidden inside our hearts that is hindering our growth. I am reminded of the song titled “Refiner’s Fire” by Brian Robert Doerksen.

Purify my heart
Let me be as gold and precious silver
Purify my heart
Let me be as gold, pure gold

Refiner's fire
My heart's one desire
Is to be holy
Set apart for You, Lord
I choose to be holy
Set apart for You, my Master
Ready to do Your will

Purify my heart
Cleanse me from within and make me holy
Purify my heart
Cleanse me from my sin, deep within

Refiner's fire
My heart's one desire
Is to be holy
Set apart for You, Lord
I choose to be holy
Set apart for You, my Master
Ready to do Your will
Refiner's fire
My heart's one desire
Is to be holy
Set apart for You, Lord
I choose to be holy
Set apart for You, my Master
Ready to do Your will

Is it your heart’s desire to be refined and ready to do the Lord’s will? We must have the right attitude to be Holy as He is Holy. The key to the working of these spiritual gifts is love. The body of Christ must have mutual respect for one another and not fight over who has what gift. The gifts are to profit men and not to be used as a force to go against a brother or sister in the Lord. The gifts mean nothing if it is not used properly through the attitude of love. We are to follow after love, for love never fails. Paul said, “I am nothing,” if love is not behind his actions when using the spiritual gifts.

When Spiritual gifts are given within the body, a responsibility follows. This is stewardship in how we manage the gifts given to us. The Holy Spirit will guide us through the gifts to serve one another in love, for the edification, exhortation, and comfort of all. We must be purified and ready to do the Master’s will, as the spiritual gifts are given to the members of the body of Christ. Do not be ignorant of the gifts that have been bestowed upon you through the Holy Spirit. Be ye Holy in all you do to the glory of God, and follow after love.