FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16
1 Corinthians 12:7-11
Ephesians 4:12-13

“But the manifestation of the Spirit is
given to every man to profit withal.”

THE PURPOSE OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS

Spiritual gifts are meant for every Christian. In 1 Corinthians 12:7, Paul instructed that they were meant to be used for the profit of man. Ephesians 4:12-13 elaborates on this that the gifts are meant to build up the church of God: “For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.” Christians who use their gifts humbly and wisely will not only help the brethren to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ, but will also encourage them to make better use of their gifts.

Paul then gave some examples of spiritual gifts that God uses to edify His church. Khoo comments:

“(1) The word of wisdom, i.e. the ability to impart God’s revelation. (2) The word of knowledge, i.e. the ability to explain the practical ramifications of spiritual truth. (3) Faith … that will trust God for things impossible. (4) The gifts of healing, i.e. the supernatural ability to restore health to the sick instantaneously. (5) The working of miracles, i.e. the ability to perform things which are not humanly or naturally possible, like walking on water. (6) Prophecy, i.e. the ability to foretell the future. (7) Discerning of spirits, i.e. the ability to distinguish a truth from a lie. (8) Tongues, i.e. the ability to speak in foreign languages never learned by the speaker. (9) Interpretation of tongues, i.e., the ability to translate the content of what was spoken by the tongues-speaker.”

Some of the gifts stated above have ceased today. (This will be discussed later under 1 Corinthians 13.)

Paul once again reminded us that the Holy Spirit is the one who decides on the distribution of gifts (1 Cor 12:11). Let pride be abased.

THOUGHT: Diversity of gifts, yet unity in the body of Christ.
PRAYER: Father, may Thou help me play my part in my church.