TUESDAY June 8, 2021

Do You Know Your Spiritual Gifts?

Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant ... There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.
1 Corinthians 12:1, 4-6

The Apostle Paul moved forward in his teaching from what Christians have in common, to how they differ from each other. He discussed their variety and individuality within the unity of the Spirit in the Church. Each believer receives at least one spiritual gift. In 1 Corinthians 12:1-12, Paul lists other spiritual gifts. God gives gifts to believers as He wills and places believers together as a team!

Our spiritual gifts are to be used for the unifying and building up of the body of Jesus Christ. They are not to be used for your own profit, but for God’s glory and honor. It is important to understand the difference between natural abilities, and spiritual gifts. When a person is born, they have natural abilities such as art, athletics or music. God will use these natural talents, but spiritual gifts are activated through the anointing of the Holy Spirit. As they are used, God is glorified, and believers are built up.

How does a believer discover and develop their spiritual gifts? Very simple. As a believer begins to fellowship and study the Word of God, the Holy Spirit begins to speak to their heart and show them a need––a place in which they can serve. As they step out by faith, they will begin to exercise their spiritual gifts, and God will anoint them.

I know I have been gifted by God to preach, teach and evangelize. I have natural abilities in the martial arts that God uses for His glory. Know your spiritual gifts! When God shows them to you, then ask yourself, “How am I going to use these gifts to bring glory and honor to Jesus Christ?”

Our gifts and talents should also be turned over to Him. They should be recognized for what they are, God’s loan to us, and should never be considered in any sense our own. We have no more right to claim credit for special abilities than for blue eyes or strong muscles.
~A. W. Tozer~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!