Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. - Romans 5

Friday, September 26, 2014

Spiritual Gifts

Something used to serve other brothers and sisters and given by the Holy Spirit. The power of the Holy Spirit is to give spiritual gifts, specific ones to each peacemaker, to use for the Body and the kingdom of God. Necessary and sufficient.

***Good looking/well dressed isnot a spiritual gift. It makes God look powerful and glorified when you give these things up, that's the only useful thing. To change and not be of the world reveals God. In the Bible God uses fools and those who dress modestly to reveal His power.

The hand - the musicians and teachers. They interact with people. They build. They are dexterous, creative, warm, intimate.

The foot - stuck in a shoe. Smelly. Not as well enervated. But without it the whole body cannot stand, cant have balanced, cant have proper blood flow, and cant move forward in  the world.

Every part of the body has a role. Not to be neglected. Not to be underestimated. Don't idolize certain spiritual gifts above others. Don't use them to glorify yourself. Those who smile and listen are just as important as those who create or teach.

Don't be jealous of others who have a certain gift and blame God why you didn't receive it. Learn what gifts u have, and maximize them for the Lord and for the church. It is okay to pray for gifts from the Holy Spirit, and if God is willing He will give them to you, but everyone has gifts right here and now, so use them. And the church needs to see them and rejoice, for the Body grows and is blessed by them.

I will be honest, I wish I had the gift of tongues. Not the kind in the charismatic church, and I'm not here to debate the existence of that incarnation of the gift, but I wish to be able to listen and speak and translate in all languages and be able to preach in all tongues and translate the Word into many languages. Alas I don't. And I don't think I will ever have this gift. I don't even think I have the gift of teaching, but I do know my gifts and I give myself up to God and maximize my gifts for the church.

No comments:

Post a Comment