August 4 – Gifts of the Spirit – 1 Corinthians 12
There are several gifts of the Spirit mentioned in this passage. The spiritual gifts mentioned are words of wisdom (v.8), words of knowledge (v.8), faith (v.9), healing (v.9), miracles (v.10), prophecy (v.10), discernment (v.10), speaking in tongues or proper languages (v.10), interpretation of tongues or proper languages (v.10), apostles (v.28), helps (v.28),and governments (v.28). Paul mentions these, but the gifts of the Spirit are not limited to only these mentioned. We can condense the spiritual gifts down to nine major categories: Evangelism, Exhortation, Teaching, Administration, Giving, Mercy, Serving, Prophecy, and Shepherding.
Paul points out that all though these gifts are different, they are all given by the same Holy Spirit. The main focus in this chapter is not the gifts, but how we are to use them. It does not matter who has which gift, but it does matter if we come together to form one unit for the cause of Christ. We all know how important the heart functions in the body, but the big toe also performs an important function. The heart cannot perform the function of the big toe, only the big toe can do that. When one part of the body is not functioning, the body suffers. The local church is the body of Christ, and when someone is not utilizing their spiritual gift it is Christ that suffers. What gifts do you have? Are you utilizing them as Paul instructed in a local church?
