Gifts are blessings of the Spirit of God
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 1 Corinthians 12:4-7
In the past five decades, we have seen how technology had changed. There was once an understanding that the biggest computer and best computer will occupy a big room. Now, the smallest computer can fit on the edge of a nickel. From the text, the apostle Paul was addressing the church at Corinth regarding the use of spiritual gifts. He was telling them that every spiritual gift God gave to the church is valuable. Christians at the church of Corinth determines the value of the spiritual gift based on the visibility of its use that determines importance. God gave each believer a spiritual gift or gifts and they are essential to the work of the church. The presence of gifts in the lives of the believers provides the various manifestation of the working of the Holy Spirit. Although we are the ones using the gifts to serve one another, only God will bring about the results for He is the One should be glorified and not us. This means that everyone in the church whether men, women, old and young, regardless of ethnic background and social status, are all given gifts and are called to use these gifts under the leadership of the Holy Spirit. The gift or gifts we have were given not because of our ability or merit but because of the liberality of the Holy Spirit that resides in us. “For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:12-13). Every gift is necessary and was given to edify the church. Since we belong to one body, the body of Christ, if we will not use the gift God gave us will greatly affect the other members of the body. There is diversity that exists in the church but in spite of this, we seek the unity in Spirit and not uniformity. Look for ways to use your gifts in the service of the church while seeking to edify others. Encourage one another in the use of their gifts and do not allow pride to overcome you that you will look down to other believers and feel that your gift is superior and theirs is inferior. Gifts are given for the common good of the church, so if you have not discovered your gift, ask God to help you and once discovered use it to minister to the body of believers. “Love one another, and work together with one mind and purpose. Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had” (Philippians 2:2-5).
Blessings,
Noel De Guzman
www.my-wbc.com
Latest sermon upload on YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSPDrqCW0MA
