“Now, dear brothers and sisters, regarding your question about the special abilities the Spirit gives us. I don’t want you to misunderstand this.” 1 Corinthians 12:1 (NLT)
Gifts of the Spirit. First given to the early church, extraordinary gifts equipped Christians for service, helping them to grow the church. These graces are still active today.
God apportions these gifts, but to what end? Paul says these graces are “to equip God’s people to do His work and build up the church, the body of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:12, NLT). Therefore, “you should earnestly desire the most helpful gifts.” (1 Corinthians 12:31a, NLT)
In order to carry out what God desires, we must be willing vessels to permit the Holy Spirit to work through us for the benefit of others. No matter what gift we are given, the working out of it is for the purpose of service of others.
Though God endows us each with a different gift, we are not to hoard it but to use it, as Paul told the Roman church, “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them…” (Romans 12:6a, NKJV)
Paul tells us, “Do not neglect the gift which is in you, [that special inward endowment] which was directly imparted to you [by the Holy Spirit].” (1 Timothy 4:14a, AMP)
Paul says that if we had all the gifts “…but if [we] didn’t love others, [we] would have gained nothing.” (1 Cor. 13:3 NLT)
Whatever your gift, use it in love to serve the Lord and uplift others. Let love be your highest goal!
Lord, your precious Holy Spirit desires to work through me for the service of others. May I use the gift You place within me wisely and in cooperation with the Spirit to encourage and uplift those of Your church. Amen!
Take Action
What gift have you been given? If you do not know your gift, ask others or take one of the tests to determine your gift. A simple search on Google will yield many results, but here is one you can try: Spiritual Gifts Test - adult. Pray and ask the Lord to make it clear to you. Then, ask Him for ways to use it and be of service to others.
Read more from Lynn Mosher: Are You Full of Dynamite?