Holy Spirit Gifts

[During the past few months I have been co-teaching on the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. I thought this might prove to be a good post as well.]

By the way... little hint. These gifts aren't for a time in the future... these gifts are for NOW to help us NOW. Also, you can't choose which gifts to believe in and which seem improbable. All the gifts... just for us. Begin with what Paul says at the start of Chapter 12, "Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant:"

I must admit that I thoroughly enjoy teaching about the Gifts, always have. Not to be irreverent, but in some of my more fanciful moments I like to imagine the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit sitting down over a cup of tea or coffee discussing how the Father’s family on earth should be prepared. What we would need to have in order to live an abundant life. What we would need to do.

I tend to think that they discussed the reasons, the purposes for the gifts even before they developed a list. Sometimes the teaching on the gifts doesn’t emphasize this but I would like to veer ever so slightly into this area. Personally, I think it’s critical. Context can be found in 1 Corinthians 12:12-27. Beginning in verse 12 this is how the Amplified expresses this. Duly note how often the words one, united are used.

  “For just as the body is one and yet has many parts, and all the parts, though many, form [only] one body, so it is with Christ. For by one [Holy] Spirit we were all baptized into one body, [spiritually transformed—united together] whether Jews or Greeks (Gentiles), slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one [Holy] Spirit [since the same Holy Spirit fills each life]. 

  For the [human] body does not consist of one part, but of many [limbs and organs]. If the foot says, “Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,” is it not on the contrary still a part of the body? If the ear says, “Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body,” is it not on the contrary still a part of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole [body] were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 

  But now [as things really are], God has placed and arranged the parts in the body, each one of them, just as He willed and saw fit [with the best balance of function]. If they all were a single organ, where would [the rest of] the body be? But now [as things really are] there are many parts [different limbs and organs], but a single body.  

  The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” But quite the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are [absolutely] necessary; and as for those parts of the body which we consider less honorable, these we treat with greater honor; and our less presentable parts are treated with greater modesty, while our more presentable parts do not require it. 

  But God has combined the [whole] body, giving greater honor to that part which lacks it, so that there would be no division or discord in the body [that is, lack of adaptation of the parts to each other], but that the parts may have the same concern for one another. And if one member suffers, all the parts share the suffering; if one member is honored, all rejoice with it.

  Now you [collectively] are Christ’s body, and individually [you are] members of it [each with his own special purpose and function].” (AMP)

The repetitiveness and passion Paul writes about the purpose for the Gifts should give even greater importance about the what and why of gifts. Quite honestly, gifts are our responsibility to grow in, to use for the benefit of others. It really isn’t OUR gift but our gifting to others. 

Ephesians 4:14-16  presents, at least in my mind, a confirming scripture

   “So that we are no longer children [spiritually immature], tossed back and forth [like ships on a stormy sea] and carried about by every wind of [shifting] doctrine, by the cunning and trickery of [unscrupulous] men, by the deceitful scheming of people ready to do anything [for personal profit]. But speaking the truth in love [in all things—both our speech and our lives expressing His truth], let us grow up in all things into Him [following His example] who is the Head—Christ. From Him the whole body [the church, in all its various parts], joined and knitted firmly together by what every joint supplies, when each part is working properly, causes the body to grow and mature, building itself up]in [unselfish] love.” (AMP)

I’ve presented my thinking, my belief, my reasoning - duly note the operative word ‘my’, but what do you think and know and believe? It’s not just agreeing or disagreeing, it’s iron sharpening iron, it’s being open to a different understanding, and most important - it’s following what the Word says… not just what ‘man’ thinks.

Beginning in verse 4 through 11, he tells us what the gifts are, what they do... and why. 1 Peter 4:10 partially because of the presumption of understanding that all Believers have gifts, states:

“Just as each one of you has received a special gift [a spiritual talent, an ability graciously given by God], employ it in serving one another as [is appropriate for] good stewards of God’s multi-faceted grace [faithfully using the diverse, varied gifts and abilities granted to Christians by God’s unmerited favor].”

Gifts are now. Gifts are in each of us. Gifts are for all of us.