Dear Friends,
Yesterday we looked at the topic of spiritual gifts, and this
morning I would like to continue our discussion.
We said yesterday that everyone possesses at least one spiritual
gift. A spiritual gift or gifts are given at the time of your conversion. Each believer
possesses them as 1 Peter 4:10 clearly points out (“to each is given”). You
were not left out or short changed when they were given. You possess them, even
though you may not recognize their presence.
I often will share with my congregation that when I step into the
pulpit on Sunday morning I see before me beautifully gift-wrapped
packages placed in the pews. Each package has a tag on it that
says, “Given by the Holy Spirit in love for ministry.” Some of the gift-wrapped
packages have been ripped open and the gift(s) inside are on display for all to
see. Sadly, however, many of those boxes remain unwrapped, and the gift(s)
within have yet to be discovered.
If all those gift-wrapped packages were opened and those wonderful
spirit given gifts were discerned, developed and deployed, the church would be
a mighty army that the world could never stop.
Someone wrote, “Gifts are meant to be employed not enjoyed, shared
not shelved, used not abused." Christian you have a gift(s) and you are
cheating yourself and your church if they remain undiscovered and
unemployed.
For further study I suggest you go to the following passages: 1
Peter 4:10; Eph 4:7,10-11; 1 Cor 12:7-10; and Romans 12:6-8.
Paul says in 1 Corinthians 12:1, “ Now dear brothers and sisters,
regarding your question about the special abilities (spiritual gifts), I don’t
want you to misunderstand (NLB). Some translations replace
“misunderstand" with the words “ignorant” or “unaware.”
We are commanded to employ those gifts. If you are not doing so,
you are being disobedient to the One who provided you your gift(s). And
furthermore, you are cheating your brothers and sisters who might benefit from
the use of those gift(s).
Your gift(s) are given at the time of your conversion. They are
sovereignly given. We don’t choose them anymore than we can choose the color of
our eyes; they’re divinely given at the time of your new birth.
Additional gifts may also be given subsequent to conversion as God chooses. It
is important to understand that gifts are never achieved, but simply received,
for we have nothing to do with the gifts we possess). They are given
according to God’s grace, and that is why they are sometimes referred to as
"grace gifts."
Scholars vary regarding to the number of gifts available. Some
list as few as 9 (explicit gifts), while others see as many as 27,
including some implicitly stated gifts like missionary, hospitality
and prayer gifts. Also Included in that list is the gift of martyrdom, leading
one writer to facetiously write that this is the only gift that can be used
just once. The point is that while scholars may argue the number, they don’t
dispute their existence.
Gifts cannot be lost for once given they become your permanent
possession, for as Romans 11:29 states, “the gifts and calling of God are
irrevocable.” God does not change His mind. Sadly, your gift(s) can be ignored
and neglected, but they can never be lost.
Tomorrow we will close our discussion on spiritual gifts by
discussing the various ways you can discover the gift(s) you have been
given.”
Paul exhorts Timothy, “Don’t neglect the spiritual gift within
you,” (1 Timothy 4:14), and I hope you won't either.
Yours in faith and friendship,
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