Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant: You know that you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, however you were led. Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:
(1Co 12:1-7 NKJV)
2 comments:
We make such a big deal about Spiritual gifts in the church today. Some churches focus on almost nothing else while other churches deny that they even exist. Or if they concede that they are still in use they pick the ones they are comfortable with and discard the others.
I think it is important that we understand why they were given to begin with and what their purpose is today.
The Holy Spirit fills a believer and in a way is similar to the blood that flows through our veins. He brings spiritual life to the body of Christ in the same way the blood in our veins brings life to our physical bodies. And all true believers are a part of the body of Christ.
So then the gifts are for the nourishment of the body. I can't see God withholding nourishment from the body. Granted, the gifts had a very special purpose at a time when the "cannon of scripture", to use a way over used term, was incomplete. It was a special blessing for a time when much of the new testament had not been written yet.
But I believe God can still speak to His people by special revelation. It's just a bit more rare and more for the encouragement of the body than before. The gifts that are more evident today are teaching, ministering, encouraging, admonishing (foot washing if you will), and just plain blessing the saints through worship or sharing the things God is doing in your daily walk.
There may be diversity in the gifts, ministries, and activities of the Spirit but there is only one God and He is working to accomplish these things for the profit of all.
Originally posted September 25, 2008 7:49 AM
Paul makes a point of saying that "no one can say Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit". And yet we hear people who have no relationship with God call Him lord. I used to wonder greatly about that. Not that it was some kind of error in the scriptures but that somehow the implication was wrong.
I wonder how many of us really make Jesus our Lord. We call Him Lord but do not His will.
"For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. "But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do the things which I say? Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock. But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great."
(Luke 6:43-49 NKJV)
If we find our house being shaken when the flood comes, we need to examine our lives and see if we are really acknowledging Christ as our Lord. I am not saying we need to examine ourselves to see if we have a relationship with Christ, but if we are giving Him that proper place in our relationship. A man who makes Christ his Lord stands on the solid rock. His faith is unshakable. If doubts arise he need only remember who his Lord is and he knows that all is well. If this thing is from the hand of my Lord then it is meant for good and will accomplish His purpose in my life. In Him I can safely trust!
We have an unshakable foundation! We ought to live as a servant of our Lord should live. Our lives should be a living testimony of the greatness of our Lord. He is able to change us and conform us to His image.
I often fall short in this area but "My God is able!".
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