1 Corinthians 12:1 –
Now, dear brothers and sisters, regarding your question about the special abilities the Spirit gives us. I don’t want you to misunderstand this.
This morning was so cool, during my prayer I am focusing on asking God to give me gifts to help serve better. Then Paul needs to sit me down and have a talk about my role within the body of Christ. I did not get clarity on my “gift” but I did get clarity on how I will not get them all. I don’t plan out my prayers, I just wander around while focusing on God’s glory, my needs, the needs of others and our church, city and nation. So this was cool that my prayer seemed to fit into the reading this morning
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Now this chapter is empowering and dangerous at the same time. One can read this and understand their purpose quickly as a person of great faith, special knowledge, ability to preach, healing, perform miracles, prophesize, discernment, speaking in tongues or understanding tongues. It’s so cool once you know where you stand so you can become empowered and use your gifts. But as you read this chapter beware of the pitfalls!
The dangers come in never focusing on your gifts or thinking you need them all. You don’t know how many times I hear people dismiss their gifts because they don’t want them or are nervous about using them. I went to a site, did a long test and found I am a “teacher” or “coach”. I have been fighting that for years since I have a difficult time speaking. But God has led me to do this through my site and also leading small groups. The future may bring something more if I perform well in my current role.
The other BIG danger of this which many churches fall into is that everyone needs ALL these gifts or they are not truly whole in Christ. Vernie fell into a group at school that insisted that if she could not speak in tongues, she was not “filled” with the Holy Spirit. Paul is very clear here that everyone does not possess all the gifts, but only one or two. His example of the body is perfect for this that everyone cannot be the feet or be a hand AND a foot. We as a church all work in harmony to bring glory to Christ Jesus!