[Writer's note: this post includes a great deal of scripture - purposely. I've kept commentary to a minimum and have provided scripture to prove it's point. ALL of us have gifts and there is a reason. Because of it's ability to expand our understanding, I've used the Amplified as the source of the scripture. Please consider what's presented to become a basis for further understanding and appreciation.]
Recently I've been co-teaching on the Gifts of the Spirit. To me, this is discussed by Paul in 1 Corinthians 12: 4-11. This is not the same as the Offices [found in Ephesians 4:7-8, 11-16] also from Paul, nor is it Paul's admonition about how to exercise your gifts as stated in Romans.
Holy Spirit gifts
"Now there are [distinctive] varieties of spiritual gifts [special abilities given by
the grace and extraordinary power of the Holy Spirit operating in believers],
but it is the same Spirit [who grants them and empowers believers].
And there are [distinctive] varieties of ministries and service, but it is the
same Lord [who is served].
And there are [distinctive] ways of working [to accomplish things], but it is the
same God who produces all things in all believers [inspiring, energizing, and
empowering them].
But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit [the spiritual
illumination and the enabling of the Holy Spirit] for the common good. To one
is given through the [Holy] Spirit [the power to speak] the message of
wisdom, and to another [the power to express] the word of knowledge and
understanding according to the same Spirit; to another [wonder-working] faith
[is given] by the same [Holy] Spirit, and to another the [extraordinary] gifts of
healings by the one Spirit; and to another the working of miracles, and to
another prophecy [foretelling the future, speaking a new message from God to
the people], and to another discernment of spirits [the ability to distinguish
sound, godly doctrine from the deceptive doctrine of man-made religions and
cults], to another various kinds of [unknown] tongues, and to another
interpretation of tongues.
All these things [the gifts, the achievements, the abilities, the
empowering] are brought about by one and the same [Holy] Spirit,
distributing to each one individually just as He chooses.
Technically, Not our but the gifting by the Holy Spirit in order to accomplish the growing of the body.
"There is one body [of believers] and one Spirit—just as you were called to one
hope when called [to salvation]— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God
and Father of us all who is [sovereign] over all and [working] through all and
[living] in all. Yet grace [God’s undeserved favor] was given to each one of us
[not indiscriminately, but in different ways] in proportion to the measure of
Christ’s [rich and abundant] gift. Therefore it says,
“When He ascended on high,
He led captivity captive,
And He bestowed gifts on men.”
(Now this expression, “He ascended,” what does it mean except that He also
had previously descended [from the heights of heaven] into the lower parts of
the earth? He who descended is the very same as He who also has ascended
high above all the heavens, that He [His presence] might fill all things [that is,
the whole universe]). And [His gifts to the church were varied and] He Himself
appointed some as apostles [special messengers, representatives], some as
prophets [who speak a new message from God to the people], some as
evangelists [who spread the good news of salvation], and some as pastors and
teachers [to shepherd and guide and instruct], [and He did this] to fully equip
and perfect the saints (God’s people) for works of service, to build up the body
of Christ [the church]; until we all reach oneness in the faith and in the
knowledge of the Son of God, [growing spiritually] to become a mature
believer, reaching to the measure of the fullness of Christ [manifesting His
spiritual completeness and exercising our spiritual gifts in unity]. 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." [Ephesians 4:4-16]
PURPOSE
"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].
UNDERSTANDING
"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.
Do you see why and how you are important to the body? Do you appreciate being part of God's plan for the edification and growth of the church? You are. But you also need to continue to grow. Since I believe that acting in our gifting is incredibly important - especially in the times we live in, I will continue to discover and share on this subject. We need to know and understand so that we operate from a solid rock foundation. In these days we are called, 'for such a time as these' as His Ambassadors in order to bring truth in these times of peril. Remember though, always test the spirits...
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