Spiritual Gifts (Part 2)

Next I want to talk about how we treat the Spiritual gifts that God has given us. The Christian and Missionary Alliance, the denomination that I am a part of, talks about our view and treatment of the Spiritual gifts in a paper called, “Expectation Without Agenda.” It has become quite the thing in the last 100 or so years to esteem certain Spiritual gifts above others. For example some denominations and groups teach that the gift of tongues is the initial evidence of being filled with the Spirit of God, and that all believers should seek after this gift first and foremost. However, it is my stance, the stance of the C&MA, and dare I say the stance of God that no Spiritual gift is greater or more necessary than any other gift. To see what I mean let us look at what Paul says about it. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 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. Romans 12:4-8

This passage of scripture seems to be very clear in stating that not all members of the body, the Church, have the same function. It states that we have gifts that differ according to the grace given each of us, and that we should use those gifts faithfully in the service of God. I want to give you the scripture that says that each believer needs to speak in tongues or they are not filled with the Spirit, but there is one big problem of why I can not do that. There is no verse that says that. I also would love to give you the verse that says that some of the gifts are more important than others, but again the problem is that there is not one.

We are told in scripture to earnestly desire the higher gifts. But as other places in scripture would help us to understand the “higher gifts” are those that help in building up the church, and bringing unbelievers into the church. So couldn’t it be said that any Spiritual gift, as long as it is used with discernment, love, and compassion for building up the church is a higher gift? The point that I am trying to make is that each of us should be happy with the gifts that God has given us, and use them to build God’s church up. Let us seek to discover how God wants to use and gift each one of us, let us be content with how he sovereignly chooses to do that, and let us not be given over to silly debates about one gift being required. For as the scriptures say, God gifts each one of us differently.

Father God,
May I discover my Spiritual gifts, may I use them to glorify you, may I never be jealous of how you have gifted another, and may I always seek to build your church.