5: A Life of Meaning Series
February 1st, 2008
Spiritual Giftedness
The subject of Spiritual gifts may be one of the more controversial issues in the church today. There are many different opinions as to what they mean and how they are visible in the body. Rather than focusing on the existence or expression of these gifts it would seem more prudent to say this: Scripture talks about gifts in multiple places so we can safely conclude they are real and that they are important. What the real issue then becomes is not are spiritual gifts real or what do they look like, but what are the gifts for? We get glimpses of the purpose or function of Spiritual gifts all throughout Scripture. We see them in the book of Acts, in Romans, in Corinthians, and in Hebrews. While all of these different passages tell us about Spiritual gifts and what they do we are still left with one question: why? Why do Spiritual gifts exist at all?
To answer this question we must look at a number of different passages in Scripture so that we may find the reason for the existence of these gifts. One possible place to look is in Romans 1 starting in verse 11. Perhaps the answer to the question is found in the seeing the purpose of the gifts:
Ro 1:11 I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— Ro 1:12 that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.
This passage tells us a bit about how gifts are to be used. In Romans 1:11 we see Paul say “I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong.” This statement is easy to misunderstand because it is somewhat misleading. It would seem that Paul is saying that he longs to come to see the Romans so that he can give them some spiritual gift and make them strong. That is not however what Paul is trying to say. He wants to impart with them some spiritual gift he does not mean I want to give you a gift as the English translations might make it appear. The word he uses here implies more that he wants to help by using his gift to encourage and strengthen the church. He isn’t saying he wants to give them a gift he is saying he wants to encourage them by sharing with them where he could bless them with his spiritual gift. So we see that the purpose of Spiritual gifts are for the strengthening others. Understanding their purpose helps us understand the Spiritual gifts but it does not answer the question of why we have them in the first place. So why do we have Spiritual gifts?
1 Corinthians 12 talks about Spiritual gifts and begins by telling us not to be ignorant of Spiritual gifts, so perhaps there we will find the answer to our question. Maybe the reason we have Spiritual gifts is seen in what those gifts do or in who the gifts are from.
1Co 12:1 Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant. 1Co 12:2 You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. 1Co 12:3 Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. 1Co 12:4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. 1Co 12:5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 1Co 12:6 There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. 1Co 12:7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 1Co 12:8 To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 1Co 12:9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 1Co 12:10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 1Co 12:11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.
We should not be ignorant of Spiritual gifts. That is, Paul wants the church to know and understand the origins, nature, and purpose of these spiritual gifts. If we are ignorant of Spiritual gifts we cannot hope to learn why we have them.
This passage tells us not only what the gifts do but who the gifts are from. The church is a diverse place. We all come from different backgrounds. Some of us have grown up in the church and were raising a Christian home and we have stayed in the church all our lives. Some of us were raised in a Christian home but went through a time where we rebelled against God and turned from Him. Some of us didn’t even find a relationship with God until we were married and had kids. Some of us are wealthy others are broke. We are all very different. Each of us comes from a different place. We have different interests, different ways of thinking, different priorities, different jobs, different hobbies, different pasts, different experiences, and different skills. There are a whole lot of differences in the body. Yet that is where the Spiritual gifts come in. They create unity in a diverse body. Spirituals gifts create unity. For when see all the different gifts and the different ways they work and we recognize that these gifts all come from the same place we see that though the gifts are diverse they are from the same Spirit. In effect they were designed to bring all the diversity in backgrounds and in personalities of the body together in unity with one another, to create unity out of diversity. That is the result of their presence and what the Spirit works to accomplish.
These gifts are from the God. They cannot be a source of disunity because the God who gives them is unified and one and He gives them for the purpose of creating unity. Thus the gifts should be understood for what they are: they are gifts from God. We should eagerly seek them, be grateful for them, and appreciate every gift that comes from God because they are good.
1 Corinthians helps teach us some very important things about Spiritual gifts and how they are used, where they are from, and the effect they have on the church. It is important for us to understand this but it still does not tell us why we have the Spiritual gifts. Maybe the answer lies in Romans 12.
Ro 12:3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Ro 12:4 Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, Ro 12:5 so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. Ro 12:6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. Ro 12:7 If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; Ro 12:8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
This passage does seem to tell us why we have Spiritual gifts. We do not have spiritual gifts because of anything we do. We have not done anything to earn them and we do not deserve them. Spiritual gifts are not a result of how righteous you live or how well you keep all God’s rules. Our gifts are not a measure of our holiness, our faithfulness, or our devotion to God. We have spiritual gifts but not for these reasons. The gifts we have are given to us by God according to His purpose. We have them as a result of His grace not by anything we can do or deserve. Thus there is no place for pride or independence with the gifts because they are from God not from us. Spiritual gifts are a result of God’s grace at work in our lives. These gifts are not like a ladder where the higher you climb the more you get. They are like cabinets the lower you make yourself the more you will find. We are told about the gifts not to create conflict or tension but to increase our appetite for them so that we make seek the giver of these gifts and grow in our relationship with Him.
Romans 1 tells us the purpose of the gifts in how showing us what they are for which is very important but does not answer our question. 1 Corinthians 12 tells us the effect the gifts have on the church and their importance but does not answer our question. Romans 12 tells us the reason that we have the gifts but it does not tell us why they exist. So if the grace of God is not the answer for why spiritual gifts exist, then what is? Why do Spiritual gifts exist? Two passages from Romans and one from Corinthians and still the question remains, maybe the answer comes when we look at 1 Peter 4.
If you look closely all the passages we have looked at answer our question but none so clearly as 1 Peter. Why do Spiritual gifts exist? If not to create unity, if not to encourage and strengthen each other in the faith, if not to benefit the body, or remind us of the grace of God then why do they exist? Why do Spiritual gifts exist? Spiritual gifts exist for one simple reason we see it so clearly here in 1 Peter 4:10:
1Pe 4:10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. 1Pe 4:11 If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
Why do Spiritual gifts exist? They exist so we can use them. We use them to serve others and in so doing they create unity and display the amazing grace of God but they exist for the explicit purpose of being used. Gifts are given to be given and shared not horded. We have gifts so that we can serve more effectively, worship more sincerely, and live for God with greater intimacy. Don’t miss this: 1 Peter tells us that everyone has a gift. When the Holy Spirit moves into a person’s life He brings gifts. All who are part of the body of Christ will have spiritual gifts.
Sometimes we spend too much time trying to decide what gift we have while doing nothing about it. Instead of waiting to see what gift you have look for opportunities to help others and in helping them you may learn what gift you have. If someone is hurting and in need come along side them and do what seems to you to be the most helpful. If your response is to be there for them and show them your concern then your gift may be empathy. If your response is to try and bring resolution to the problem perhaps you are a peacemaker. If you invite them to your home or offer them help in their time of need maybe you are gifted in hospitality. If your response is to tell them to suck it up and get over it your Spiritual gift may not be very relational. The gift that Paul brought to the Romans was to encourage them with his faith. Thus we see a spiritual gift is an expression of faith that is intended to strengthen the faith of others.
It is important for us to know and be aware of our gifts so that we can put them to proper use, it is also important that we do not get lost in trying to pin down and define our gifts to the neglect of their use. Our focus should not be on the name of our gift our focus should be on using our gifts in every way we can to strengthen the faith of others. We do not have gifts so that we can name them. We have gifts so that we can use them.
Everything we do we should do as if we were working for God but are we working for God? Do we do everything to the best of our ability? Do we serve God with our actions, with our words, with our thoughts, with our time? Are we living according to His plan? Are we using His gifts for His glory? The reason we have spiritual gifts is to use them. We all have gifts. Are you using yours?
