Spiritual Gifts

On our Wednesday night Bible Studies at church, we have been learning about the Spiritual gifts we are given by the Holy Spirit when we become baptized into Christ. This is such an important lesson for each of us and yet so many are unaware of how essential it is to know what spiritual gifts are and how we are to use them to serve God. Though there are some spiritual gifts that we do not have today, such as raising the dead, healing the sick, and speaking in tongues; there are those that we have been given when we came into Christ that are important for doing the Lord's work.

1 Corinthians 12:1 - "Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant."

Spiritual gifts are given to us directly from the Holy Spirit and are used to demonstrate a Spirit-led life in order to strengthen others. These talents and abilities are not required to be usable for God. It is the choice one makes in accepting Jesus as Lord (Romans 10:9), making life changes (Acts 3:19), and being baptized into Christ (Romans 6:3). When one is baptized into the Christ life, the Holy Spirit is given (Acts 2:38) as a gift to engage, equip, and empower each one with spiritual gifts that will enable one to do effective ministry that will point people to God (Matthew 5:16).

1 Corinthians 12:7 - "But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal."

The Greek word for manifestation (phanerosis) means to "make visible" or "to display." In other words, spiritual gifts are put on display through the believer in order that God will be seen and glorified. They are given to perform visible acts of service so that others will see the limitless grace, love, mercy and power of God. It is important to know what spiritual gifts you have been given and for you to use them at every opportunity.

Romans 1:11 - "For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established."

You can use the spiritual gifts you possess to strengthen others. Your spiritual gifts can be used to minister, encourage, support, teach, and help others to grow and therefore strengthen in Christ. When we made the choice to accept Christ, we were given these spiritual abilities to become effective in living the Christian life so that others will be strengthened in faith and God would be glorified. These gifts are to be used as an everyday resource for the strengthening of the kingdom. Tthe effective use of each of our gifts is imperative to keep the Church growing and running smoothly.

Romans 12:3-8 - "For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to 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 of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness."

You must be honest with yourself on what spiritual gifts you possess, and which ones you do not. Knowing your strengths and weaknesses will help you to know how you can be best used in service to the Lord. These gifts are Spirit-given abilities designed to equip and empower a believer as he or she engages in Christ's work. We do not all have the same talents given to us, yet all of our talents are important in working together to do God's work. If you would like help in discovering what your Spiritual gifts may be, my next post will be a Spiritual Gift Analysis which will be very useful to you. If you take the time to fill it out, you may discover you possess talents you did not even know you had.