Spiritual Gifts

This morning I was thinking about spiritual gifts and how we are more gifted than we realize.  Forgive me for spiritualizing; however, let me interpret I Corinthians 12-14 in a practical way.

We have all been given the gift of knowledge.  When we read Scripture and observe the world around us, we understand who we are and how life and God works.  Of course our knowledge is limited, but in our minds, and to some degree, life makes sense to us.

We have also been gifted with understanding.  We speak to ourselves in an individual language.  In our minds, words and phrases may not have the same meaning to other people—not even to our own family members!  We think in pictures and concepts, take shortcuts, and we usually do not form our thoughts in complete sentences.  I know this is true because when I speak from my universe to another person, my listener looks at me as if I’m uttering mysteries—or as if I’m speaking in tongues.

I especially thank God for the gift of interpretation.  Whenever I’m in a conflict with someone because they don’t understand what I’m saying and want to scream, “Don’t you speak English?”  The Lord often sends someone with the gift of interpretation to intervene and translate.    

Paul tells the Corinthians that the purpose of all our gifts is for “strengthening, encouragement, and comfort” (I Corinthians 14:3).  In his second letter to the Corinthians, Paul gives them an even bigger purpose statement.  Paul tells the Corinthians that God gave and committed to them the ministry and the message of reconciliation” (II Corinthians 5:18, 19).  For this reason, let’s consider Paul’s words as we look for ministry opportunities in our world.  God’s vision might be more far reaching, yet closer to home than we think. 

As We Are

In the past, whenever I asked questions like, “Why me?” or “Why does this have to happen?”, I was answered by a Biblical text (and there are many different ones).   Thus, I have quit asking these questions.  Instead, whenever something interrupts the flow of my life, I tell myself, “This is a test.”  Remember when the Hebrew writer said Jesus “was tempted in all points?”  He goes on to say, “…just as we are” (Hebrews 4:15).  In other words, as Jesus was tempted, we are also tested in every area of our lives.

Most of us don’t recognize the test because when we think of temptation we think of being enticed to eat a second bowl of ice cream or being allured to go where angels fear to tread.  In actuality, a temptation is anything that draws us away from God (James 1:14).

One reason for the temptation or test is so that we can know ourselves.  When the Hebrew writer tells us Jesus was tempted in all points, he finishes his sentence with, “…yet was without sin.”  The Hebrew writer is telling us that Jesus was on target in every area of His life and we are left to contemplate our struggles in the context of His life.

I know I’m failing a test whenever I do or say something followed by me saying, “That’s not like me.”  When I speak these words, I am reminded of how Jesus lived His life and what He said throughout the Gospels.  In Mark 7:20-23, Jesus tells me that how I respond to life and people comes from who I am.  When I try to justify myself, I hear Jeremiah reminding me that “the heart is deceitful above all things…” (Jeremiah 17:9).

I don’t know if anyone else has these thoughts and conflicts, but I am sure glad for the words of Scripture to redirect my thoughts.  I can pray with David, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.  See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalms 139:23-24).  And then I find comfort when John says, “But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.  He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world” (I John 2:1b-2).

Aren’t these wonderful words?  They tell me that no matter what happens, I can pass the test with flying colors!