“Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I DO NOT WANT YOU TO BE UNINFORMED.” (1 Corin. 12:1)
[Paul now comes to teach us of spiritual gifts, which flourished then, SHOULD flourish NOW!]
“There are VARIOUS KINDS OF GIFTS, but the SAME SPIRIT distributes them.” (1 Corin. 12:4)
[Gifts and graces, charismata and charis, greatly vary. Both indeed are FREELY given BY GOD!] “Now TO EACH ONE the manifestation of the Spirit is given FOR THE COMMON GOOD.” (1 Corin. 12:7)
[Gifts are given BY GOD, activated by the HOLY SPIRIT; for the benefit and redemption of others!]
“To one there is given through the Spirit a message of WISDOM, to another a message of KNOWLEDGE by means of the same Spirit, to another FAITH by the same Spirit, to another gifts of HEALING by that one Spirit, to another MIRACULOUS POWERS, to another PROPHECY, to another DISTINGUISHING BETWEEN SPIRITS, to another SPEAKING IN DIFFERENT KINDS OF TONGUES, and to still another the INTERPRETATION OF TONGUES.” (1 Corin. 12:8-10)
[Notice, there are nine spiritual gifts listed here; who decides what gift is to be used? GOD does! Where does the power come from to operate these gifts? The Holy Spirit of God in us!]
“All these are the WORK OF ONE AND THE SAME SPIRIT, and he distributes them to each one, JUST AS HE DETERMINES.” (1 Corin. 12:11)
[The Holy Spirit works the godly effects and distributes the godly gifts AS HE WILLS, BY HIS OWN POWER, and according to HIS OWN PLEASURE, without dependence or control. But though he distributes these gifts freely and uncontrollably, they are intended by Him, not for private honor and advantage, but FOR PUBLIC BENEFIT, for THE EDIFICATION OF THE BODY OF CHRIST, His church!]
“And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. NOW EAGERLY DESIRE THE GREATER GIFTS.” (1 Corin. 12:28, 31)
[Where are these gifts today? My question is; where is our EAGER DESIRE for these gifts to be used in and through us?]
WE MUST NOW EAGERLY DESIRE THE GREATER GIFTS!
-Bill Stockham