Equipped to Serve, Pt. 2

The Gifts of the Spirit are one of the more mystifying aspects of Christianity. Now, God did not intend for us to be confused about the issue of spiritual gifts; we just confused ourselves. We have made gifts into something not consistent with their original intent. The problem developed early on. The church in Corinth serves as the prime example of how even first-century believers could get things wrong.

One of the reasons Paul wrote the first letter to the Corinthians was to clear up the confused atmosphere regarding gifts. In Corinth, gifts were abused and misused because they were misunderstood. What was intended for the common good (1 Cor. 12.7) became quickly a source of personal pride.

Our focus when we study spiritual gifts tends to be Chaps. 12-14 in 1 Corinthians. Yet, we have three other texts we could look to as well. This past Sunday, we spent a portion of our time considering one of those passages: Romans 12.4-8. This passage, along with Ephesians 4.11-16 and 1 Peter 4.10-11, shows us a much broader view of the gifts of the Spirit and their use within the Body of Christ.

Let me observe at this point an important truth: gifts are by grace. God does not reward us with a gift; gifts are not given to individuals because the gift has been sought. God by His Spirit gives gifts in accordance with his plan for the Church (that is why gifts are for the “common good”). But, when God grants a gift to someone, he is indicating his trust in that person. We receive gifts as a part of our stewardship of the Gospel. So then, we are expected to use them in a fashion in which others’ lives will be enhanced. When God gives gifts, he is indicating his love and honor for the one to whom the gift is given.

Romans, Ephesians, 1 Corinthians, and 1 Peter show us an important truth: gifts are for ministry inside and outside the Body. Peter stated, “As each one has received a grace gift, employ it in serving other persons as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” Serving other people, believers and non-believers alike, is what gifts are all about. We are not given the right to pick and choose who we will serve.

Since gifts are for the common good, they are not intended then to be disruptive, but unifying in their practice. In other words, when we use our gifts, we may reconcile people through the gospel. Now to do this, we must realize one essential truth. Gifts are intended to get the attention on God, not the bearer of the gift. Jesus instructed his disciples to “let your light shine before others in such a way that they will see your good works and glorify the Father in Heaven.” Using one’s gift is letting one’s light shine; if we shine in the right manner, people will see God; we will be simply the spotlight.

How do we accomplish this task? Many times, when we use our gift, the person we serve will thank us, and, perhaps, tell others about how helpful we were. Hey, if we are good enough at using our gift, we might get a TV program. Well, that is not why we have a gift. So, then, how do we avoid the self-centeredness with which the Corinthians Christians were afflicted? The answer lies in understanding the Fruit of the Spirit.

In Galatians 5.22-23, we find Paul’s list of nine essential character qualities known as the fruit of the Spirit. These traits are interesting in that Paul said the Spirit produces them in the life of a believer. We do not acquire them on our own. We can employ them, but we cannot buy them. The Spirit, who begins his work in our lives at the moment of salvation, produces these character qualities because they are the traits God himself possesses. So, the Spirit is reproducing in the life of each believer the very character of God. As God’s character becomes stronger in us, we will conduct ourselves in the context of the character qualities of God as we use our gifts. Thus, the one being served, not the servant, will receive the attention.

The fruit of the Spirit, the character of God, will guide how we conduct ourselves in our use of the gifts of the Spirit.