1 Corinthians 12:4-11 MSG God’s various gifts are handed out everywhere; but they all originate in God’s Spirit. God’s various ministries are carried out everywhere; but they all originate in God’s Spirit. God’s various expressions of power are in action everywhere; but God himself is behind it all. Each person is given something to do that shows who God is: Everyone gets in on it, everyone benefits. All kinds of things are handed out by the Spirit, and to all kinds of people! The variety is wonderful: wise counsel [Word of Wisdom], clear understanding [Word of Knowledge], simple trust [Faith], healing the sick, miraculous acts, proclamation [Prophecy], distinguishing between spirits [Discernment of Spirits], tongues, and interpretation of tongues. All these gifts have a common origin, but are handed out one by one by the one Spirit of God. He decides who gets what, and when.
“The Holy Spirit is not an impersonal power, and His gifts do not spring from a human source; it is the work of God. Gifts are from the great gift, the Holy Spirit; ministries are modeled by the main minister, Christ the Lord; and the works of the Spirit come from the chief worker, God the Father.” Donald Pickerill, Spirit-Filled Life Bible, 1 Corinthian notes
Observation
Corinth was a bustling seaport with a reputation for licentious living. Their pagan religion had many gods, but Venus, the goddess of lustful love, was its patron. So, when the Corinthians worshipped, their services were often wild and reckless, full of debauchery. They were used to gods (demons) who would possess and take control of them. So, the new converts in Corinth struggled with a new concept of God living within while working His power in and through them, empowering rather than controlling. Paul in this letter is helping them to change a paradigm, shifting from being controlled to freely, consciously, moving in the power of God.
God in the person of the Holy Spirit is in charge, in control, of choosing the what is given and who receives of gift-giving, but we remain in control of how the supernatural gift works in and through us. We can say “no” at any time. The Holy Spirit is not like the destructive demons of pagan religions who possess and control a life. Holy Spirit gifts are not the exercise of a heightened human ability but rather the vesting with God’s power by the Holy Spirit to do the work of God and fulfill His purpose. There is no competition here, no winner of any prize, no ladder of status to climb. These supernatural giftings are to be used to grow us individually and as a church so that we can then evangelize the world around us. The work of Holy Spirit is to reproduce the dynamic ministry of Jesus in and through us. We are in complete control regarding whether we partner with Him or not.
Impact on Me
When I accepted Christ as my personal savior, I became a supernatural person in Christ. The work of the Holy Spirit began in me to reshape, mold and make my life into one that is representative of Jesus Christ on earth. This is a lifelong process. Just like remodeling a house might require tearing down some walls, tearing up some floors, repairing the plumbing, electrical and HVAC, so does the Holy Spirit need to remodel me so that Jesus can make Himself at home in me. I need to leave the fixtures and furnishings (gifts and ministries) in His hands rather than being discontent with how He would “decorate” the home I want Him to make in me.
All this tearing and repairing will certainly be uncomfortable, emotionally painful and humbling as He exposes my sin and fleshly habits that keep me captive to my past. I am in control of what I allow Him to do. Am I willing to be part of cleaning out what I have hoarded in life before I accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior? Am I willing to look upon and deal with the shameful, hidden thoughts, actions and words I have hidden away in locked closets within me? Am I open to being transparent and welcoming (tearing down walls to become an open concept home) if it will serve His will and purpose? Am I willing to give the home of me into Jesus’ possession? I pray it is so!
Prayer
Lord God, Helper, Teacher, Perfect General Contractor of My Life, I worship You and thank You for accepting the job of remodeling me. Lord, I pray that You will give me the courage and determination to agree to undergo whatever it takes to make me that open concept space where others can come to meet You in me. Help me to let go of my possessions so You can replace them with Your own. Teach me how to allow Your empowerment to thrive and flow out of all my doors and windows to invite others to invite you into the homes of their lives. Keep me from becoming prideful – impressed with the fixtures and furnishings You have installed in me – and taking credit for any of the work You have done and will do. Make it so, in Jesus’ name.
Pressing On In His Footsteps 