“…for the gifts and the calling from God are irrevocable…” (Romans 11:29)
“Now concerning spiritual gifts brethren, I do not want you to be unaware…” (1 Corinthians 12:1)
Do you know what you believe about spiritual gifts? Equally important… do you know why you believe as you do AND most important, is it scriptural? I do realize the scriptural argument against spiritual gifts typically is:
“When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away
childish things.” (1 Corinthians 13:11, NKJV)
This argument predisposes us to view spiritual gifts as childish. That makes absolutely no sense. Perhaps the argument stems from earlier verses in this chapter: 8-10
“Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.”
The emphasis is on v. 10. But can you honestly say that the perfect has come? And if it has… is it in control? Are we a church without spot or wrinkle? Hardly. Again, there are ‘scriptural’ argument both pro and con.
A different argument is the purpose for the gifts. Assuming that gifts are as important today as they were in the first century church: how does one know one’s gifting and how should you share your gift? First God places us where He wants us, Second the gifts are for the body and as a sign for unbelievers. But what really answers the question for me about whether or not they are still valid for today is the reality of the time and there is no mention of them being for only a specific time. What are the gifts: (1Corinthians 12:1-12, ESV)
“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.T o each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.”
As you see, the importance of the gifts is in equipping the body.
“… to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.” (Ephesians 4:12-16, ESV)
THAT is the purpose, the reason for the gifts. Read further information and confirmation: 1 Corinthians 14:1,39, 1 Thessalonians 5:19, 1 Timothy 4:14, 2 Timothy 1:6. The fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) provides further rationale for the expression of the gifts. (Romans 12:6-8 ESV)
“Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.”
