Throughout his letters, and particularly concentrated in chapters 12-14 of his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul specifically mentions special gifts with detailed explanations of use and misuse of these gifts. All gifts are meant to work together for the purpose of building a strong church—the Body of Christ. It is a call to unity and we must remember unity (i.e., working well and cohesively together) is not the same as uniformity (i.e., all the same without variation), as we noted in an earlier devotion. People are not the same and neither are their abilities. However all members of God’s family are to function cohesively using whatever gifts, talents, and abilities God has granted them. Perhaps the key to it all is this:
1 Corinthians 13:1-2 If I speak in the tongues of men and of
angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If
I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and
if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
As long as time and years permit there will always be periodic waves of those who seek extraordinary and supernatural spiritual experiences to set themselves above those whom they view as plain, out-of-date, or just do not have what they have. In their eyes, there will always be ridicule for those who lack some special level of spirituality—above and beyond the biblical teaching of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit given to all believers at the moment one accepts Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. For them the experiential factor becomes the key element in determining one’s level of Christianity. The Bible, God’s Holy Word, does not teach such levels of Christianity. The greatest fallacy of this is in seeking “more” as if Christ is not enough. The clear response is:
Colossians 2: 10 …and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.
To be sure, the Holy Spirit plays a
prominent and meaningful role in Christianity. But the Holy Spirit is never
self-promoting. In every situation and in every circumstance, the Holy Spirit
is focused on representing Christ.
John 14:26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the
Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of
everything I have said to you.
John 15:26 When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me.
John 16:13-14 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you.
The newest and latest wave of supernatural experiences is in full swing. There will be many emotionally charged invitations, seminars, movies and the like urging you to get that “little something extra that you’ve been missing.” Such teachings promote elevated status and not unity. Remember that if you have Jesus Christ, then you also have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and you have everything. In summarizing this brief series regarding spiritual gifts, we have covered several major points to remember:
· Any religious experience that promotes self and does not agree with the life and teachings of Christ is false.
· The Holy Spirit does not draw attention to himself and any human activity that does is errant.
· The Holy Spirit plays a prominent and meaningful role in Christianity but he is never the center attraction.
1 Corinthians 13:4-10, 13 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. for we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. … And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.
Gracious Heavenly Father,
In these days of turmoil, unrest, and world chaos, we can be so tempted to grasp at things that may for a time seem superior to our current circumstances. Forgive us when we fail to see that with You we have all that we need. Supernatural experiences and emotional highs are but a false illusion. Remind us, too, that You are love and the things we think, say, and do should also be done out of love for others in the same way You love us. It is not by some emotional experience or some elevated spiritual status, but it is by our love for You and for others that they will know we are Christians.
In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, Amen.
1 Corinthians 16:13-14 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.
The devotional The Greatest of These appeared first on Write From My Heart at writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com
email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com
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