One of the most common passages used to talk about spiritual gifts is none other than 1 Corinthians 12.
"But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills." - 1 Cor 12:7-11
We somehow mistakenly think that the apostle Paul was talking about spiritual gifts, and we start to classify them into different gifts (9 gifts) to coincide with the fruit of the Spirit (9 fruits in Galatians 5).
First of all, there is only one fruit - Love (John 15:9-17). All other characteristics in Galatians 5:22-23 flow out of LOVE. See also 1 Cor 13:4-7. You can't walk in love and not have all other characteristics as mentioned below.
But the fruit of the Spirit is LOVE, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. - Gal 5:22-23 (emphasis added)
There is no law against LOVE, because Love is the fulfillment of the Law.
Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. - Romans 13:10
If God is love (1 John 4:8) and we are created in His image, then we are called to become Love. That is the fruit we are supposed to bear and Love is the fruit that abides (Jn 15:16; 1 Cor 13:8). Love is the constant that doesn't change regardless of circumstances and situations.
With this in mind, we go back to 1 Corinthians 12. Apostle Paul was writing to a group of people who were carnally minded.
"And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. 2 I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; 3 for you are still carnal." - 1 Cor 3:1-3
In other words, the reason why Paul would even talk about 1 Corinthians 12 was because of the carnality of the Corinthians.
He began with "Now concerning spiritual (gifts), brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant." - 1 Cor 12:1 (bracket added)
The word 'gifts' is not in the original Greek. It is added by translation, which is a bad translation. It should be read as, "Now concerning the spiritual, brethen...."
Paul was talking about the realm of the Spirit. It had NOTHING TO DO with spiritual gifts.
In verse 7-11, Paul was referring to the manifestation (not spiritual gifts) of the Spirit. Verse 7 is saying that the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each believer for the profit of those who need. Paul continued to list the different gifts during THE MANIFESTATION of the Spirit. Eg. Word of wisdom, gift of faith, etc.
It has nothing to do with you having a special gift of healing or gift of faith. Stop thinking highly of yourself. God so loves people that He manifests the gifts according to the needs of the people. He desires them to be made whole and you and I (every believer) are available for Him to use.
If it is about a special gift, you will be the man of God where people look up to. If it is about the manifestation of the Spirit, then it is about the love of God that we can point people to.
But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He WILLS. - 1 Cor 12:11 (emphasis added)
Some people think that this verse is referring to the Holy Spirit choosing and distributing the gifts on different selected people, because they think that Paul was writing about spiritual gifts.
The word "WILLS" in Greek is the word "boulomai", which means "to plan with full resolve and determination". It underlines the predetermined (and determined) intention. It is not about the Spirit wishing or having a desire. It is about the Spirit willing it so.
In other words, the one and the same Spirit in EVERY believer works all these gifts during the manifestation, distributing to each one because He WILLS it so (He wants it for all).
You and I don't have a unique gift of faith, word of wisdom, etc.. We have the gift of the Holy Spirit. It is He who manifests all the gifts (belonged to the Spirit) when a need arises. This means that every single one of us can move in the manifestation of the Spirit listed in 1 Corinthians 12:7-11. (And I don't think the list is exhaustive).
Why is it that some people seem to move more strongly in one area of the manifestation? Where you focus on and grow in faith in, you will move more strongly. It's called stewardship.
Having said all these, there is a place to walk in where we move beyond the gifts of the manifestation of the Spirit.
We manifest as sons. We walk in our identity.
But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a MORE EXCELLENT WAY. - 1 Cor 12:31 (emphasis added)
Remember, Paul was talking about the realm of the Spirit with carnal Christians. At the end of chapter 12, he showed them a more excellent way - one that is way above moving in manifestation and gifts.
LOVE!
Love is the fruit of the Spirit. Why is it a more excellent way than manifestation and gifts? Because Love never fails (1 Cor 13:8).
You can move in the realm of the Spirit (1 Cor 12) and still be carnal, unloving, immature, etc. But when you manifest as love, you are not only spiritual and mature, you will move in a more excellent way than what manifestation and gifts can do.
For too long, the church has been separating the two: Power and Love. So they go to both extremes - only power Or only character.
There is only One - Love. For God is love. And when we walk in love, we WILL naturally walk in power. Jesus had the most consistent results in power because He walked in love.
We can depend on manifestation and gifts to move in power. It may have some results. But it may not be consistent. The reason God uses you to make someone whole is because He loves him/her, not because you are spiritual.
But to have results like Jesus, there is a more excellent way - Love. For love never fails. Love is the fruit, that when grown, remains/stays/abides forever ----- in other words, it will be CONSTANT in every circumstance and in every situation. Love NEVER fails!
I desire to grow and walk in love to become like Him --- and all the power and manifestation will flow freely and consistently without even thinking about it.
If we want to manifest something, manifest LOVE. That is sonship. That is identity. #sonship #identity
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