Concerning Spiritual Things 

20-1-19

1 Corinthians 12:1-11

I wonder how many people ever consider how it is that they have many and varied gifts and abilities. Paul was addressing the Christian community in Corinth who seemed to enjoy valuing one gift above another. Because I can do this and that and you canʼt, and what I do is important, therefore the ability I have must be above anything you have. I think that there exists some of that type of thinking in both todayʼs society and for that matter, the church. Paul brings us back to earth when he says that every ability you have – and that is each one of us, believer or not – has been gifted with abilities, special abilities. However, these abilities are never yours. They belong to the one who has placed them in you.

I may not know all the spiritual gifts God has blessed you personally with, but I do know that He has given them to you. He doesnʼt want us to use them for selfish profit or glory. God wants us to use these spiritual gifts to benefit our fellow believers. And when we do that, we also bring Him glory. We should never think that we have nothing to offer, because we have, regardless of who we are.

He has given us gifts and manifestations of the Spirit, according to His plan and will, not our wisdom or wishes, for the common good. Let Him energise you with His Word and Sacraments. Find power in His gracious Word that he has called you out of the darkness of unbelief and made you his child.

Pastor Darryl