Tuesday: The Purpose of the Spiritual Gifts
Read Romans 12:3-8 and Ephesians 4:8-12. What is the purpose of the spiritual gifts that God gives us?
The spiritual gifts were clearly given for service, not for our sanctification. They are not miraculous tricks that satisfy our curiosity, nor are they given as an antidote to boredom. Often we think about the gifts of the Holy Spirit in terms of filling our spiritual needs, or as empowering us in our walk with God.
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The result is a view of the gifts of the Holy Spirit that is more Christian-centered than Christ-centered. It is more focused on us than on God. When we try to recover a God-centered perspective of the spiritual gifts, we realize that the gifts God gives fulfill multiple divine purposes: they are given to further the unity of the church and for building up the church (Eph. 4:12-16). They are given to carry on the divinely commissioned ministry of the church (Eph. 4:11-12). And ultimately they are given to glorify God (1 Pet. 4:10-11).
This is the reason why the gifts are never given to please us. They are to edify others (1 Pet. 4:10; 1 Cor. 14:12, 1 Cor. 14:26). They are given to bring spiritual profit and edification to the whole church. It is a tragedy when God’s gifts, which are supposed to foster unity in the church, are misused so that only certain individuals are elevated. When this happens, individuals receive undue prominence. This in turn fosters disunity and gives room to divisiveness.
Too often we think about spiritual gifts only in terms of ability and talents that we receive. While talents are involved in spiritual gifts, we should keep in mind that in bestowing a spiritual gift the Holy Spirit also always gives a specific task or ministry that goes along with it (1 Pet. 4:10). Thus, we might say that spiritual gifts are certain capacities given supernaturally by God through the Holy Spirit. These gifts fit the person for a special type of service that will build up the church. To reach that goal, diverse gifts are needed.
| Why do you think a primary purpose of the gifts is church unity? How can believers with different gifts aim at unity in the church? What needs to take place so that different gifts in the church become a blessing rather than a source of division? |
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If we use our gifts in ministry, and let the Holy Spirit in our lives, He will show His fruit in us while we work for Him. If we (or most of us) are working for the ministry, we will pull together as we will realize that our gifts are complimentary to each other.
The gifts are given by God to edify the church and Foster unity. But,in most cases some think they're more gifted than others especially in the level of administration(office of eldership) So much the more that he/she wants to be a perennial first elder and when not re-elected,he/she champions dissention and division in the church. I think this is not spirit-led leadership but one that's based on self.Let's respond to promptings of the Holy spirit and God will give us a leadership which builds up,exploits and unites all the talents in glory of His name.
God has bestowed His church with different gifts but i think most of these gifts are under utilized because of in activity of the members. We can discover the gifts in us and in others if we interact and avail ourselves for social services within the church circle and any church program. For some Christians their Sabbath day ends at the end of the divine service only to be seen again the next Sabbath. We need to form strong relationships within the church to fully utilize the gifts we have because each gift is complimented by another as organs of the same body. As we focus on blessing others with our gifts without glorifying self divisions will naturally die. We must be actively involved in christian service to discover and utilize our gifts. It is sad to die with a beautiful song in the heart that has never been sang.
It's our responsability to find out our talents and work on them to the build up of the church! We can all help out in something! Because none is born without a gift! May we have this conscience about what is God's given blessings for us to help others... Even our neighborhood can see some talent on what we do collectivelly!
Are gifts and talents such a need?
Do you think we are sometimes called on to serve in areas outside of our gifts simply because there is no one else to do that service — say, in a small church? And does God use such instances to grow our gifts so we will rise to the occasion?
I believe God's primary purpose is a loving unified relationship between the God Head and His people.
Real good points today. No one in heaven does anything to be noticed. As the Holy Spirit is never focused on for what he is doing, it is the same for everyone in heaven. Jesus, while on earth may have done things to be noticed, but he never had the wrong motive. He did not let his right hand know what his left hand was doing sore of speak. The only one from heaven who does this is Lucifer. It is a result of an inferiority complex, (sin). When we do this it is because of our sense of our inferiority complex. "God have merci. Please save us."
There are a number of passages in the Bible that show clearly the purpose of spiritual gifts. There is for instance 1 Corinthians 12:7 - "Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good."; Ephesians 4:12 - "to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up"; 1 Peter 4:10 - "Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others..." etc.
The Lord in His great wisdom chose to give each of us His children, spiritual gifts as He pleases. However, He did not give all gifts to one person and He explains why: so that no one would “think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. (Romans 12: 3)
It is God's purpose that spiritual gifts are used to unite the Church - “to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3). This is also evident in the fact that “strife . . . disputes, dissensions, factions” (Gal. 5:20) are desires of the flesh that are not “led by the Spirit” (Gal. 5:18, cf. v. 25). On the other hand the Holy Spirit produces love in our hearts (Rom. 5:5; Gal. 5:22; Col. 1:8), and this love “binds everything together in perfect harmony” (Col. 3:14). Clearly therefore when the Holy Spirit is in control of the church there's bound to be harmony and love in the family of believers.
God gives us spiritual gifts for the edification of the Church (I Corinthians 14:12), to build up the Body of Christ in love and unity, “that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ” (I Peter 4:11). As God distributes His gifts among His people, His power, love, and wisdom are displayed gloriously and the Body of Christ is edified. “The manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal” (I Corinthians 12:7).
The gifts of the Spirit are tools with which we can articulate the love of God to all humanity. They are not mysterious powers and are given gifts to remind us of our dependence upon one another and thus build unity in the Church.
Needless to say, when properly applied, spiritual gifts will contribute to the health and growth of the church leading to the whole body being joined together by every supporting ligament, growing and building itself up in love, as each part does its work. We find ourselves compelled to rely and depend upon one another. We begin to recognize that “The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I have no need of you,’ nor again the head to the feet, ‘I have no need of you’ ” (I Cor. 12:11). We need each other to function productively and successfully. Lord help us to always remember this as we continue to labour in Your vineyard.
Unity, like the gifts of the Spirit comes from God. As there is unity between Father, Son, Holy Spirit, and all the Hosts of heaven for the salvation of man, we being under the control and guidance of the same Spirit will unify for the same purpose.
Unity in the Spirit makes effective the work of saving others and ultimately glorifies and radiates the Holy name of God.
We have received different gifts from our almighty God to serve Him and prepare the second coming of Jesus Christ, how can we know that these gifts that we have been given are really working?
Spiritual gifts are for profit and edification of the church but it should be practical and not hidden to members. Spiritual gifts are truly for the live service and witness in the church. Unfortunately, some church leaders have monopolised posts to the extent of even campaigning for themselves hence burying spiritual gifts of the inactive members. Therefore pray for the Church Leadership.
Of course yes, because in small sabbath schools one may find himself in 2 to 3 departments, and of them some may not be doing better at first but later improve.That's automatically done if we engage the Holyspirit in the service. Amen.