Don't Be Ignorant!

Concerning Spiritual Gifts

12 Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2 You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. 3 Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them.5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.

Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,[a] and to still another the interpretation of tongues.[b]11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

In the next three chapters Paul will give the Corinthians (and by application us) an extensive teaching on the subject of spiritual gifts.  Paul's main concern was that he did not want them to "uninformed" about spiritual gifts.  Another translation says, "Don't be ignorant of spiritual gifts."  The first and greatest gift of the Holy Spirit is to prompt someone to confess Jesus as Lord.  Martin Luther's Catechism classically states, "I cannot by my own effort or understanding come to know Jesus as Lord.  But the Holy Spirit has called me, enlightened and sanctified me in the true faith."  

Next, Paul teaches that the Holy Spirit distributes gifts to each believer.  While we all have different gifts, the common factor is that they are all fueled by the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  The tendency in any church is for 20% of the people to do 80% of the work.  But Paul reminds the church that every single person who confesses Jesus as Lord has been gven gifts given to build up the church.  Verses 7 through 11 give us an idea of some of the types of gifts the Holy Spirit distributes to each believer.  

First, the passage says the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.  When we serve using our spiritual gifts the Holy Spirit it is always for the common good.  The goal of all of our service is to build up the body of Christ. Secondly, the passage says the Spirit distributes each gift just as he determines. What does this mean?  God has specifically and uniquely given each one of us a gift which reflects His desire to use us for the common good of the church.  Paul does not want the church of Corinth to be uniformed about this fact.  A church should always ask itself, are we informing our church about spiritual gifts? 

Every church needs volunteers to help run the church, which is very important.  But every church needs help members understand and deploy their spiritual gifts.  This is the way God designed the church, and the Holy Spirit has determined which gift each member of the body should have.  

And here is the exciting part.  Look at some of the gifts.  Speaking gifts (wisdom, knowlege), the gift of faith, gifts of healing, doing miracles, prophesying and speaking in tongues.  These gifts are not just meant for the pastor, but every member of the body of Christ has one of these exciting gifts.    You can see why Paul doesn't want the believers to be uniformed about spiritual gifts.  The massive growth in the early church was largely due to the employment of spiritual gifts led by the apostles. Just read the book of Acts if you don't believe me.  

Have you discovered your spiritual gifts yet? Have you been informed or are you ignorant? Are you serving in the power of the gift you have been given through the Holy Spirit?  This is one of the most important and exciting parts of your Christian faith.  Don't miss out on what God can do for you as you allow Him to use you in His power!