The Best Gifts Ever Received!
In this season when gifts are exchanged, we strive to give gifts that are both pleasing and of value to the receiver. Much time and effort and love is put into this process. We want to give the best gift possible and often frantically run from store to store, or go from website to website, just hoping to find that “perfect” gift. Should I get rubber, corded, synthetic, or wrap grips on that new set of golf irons? Standing at the blue jeans display, my goodness, what is the difference between slim fit, skinny fit, and narrow fit? And geez, who knew that buying a frying pan meant deciding between so many different types. After much frustration, you think to yourself, maybe a gift card would be best.
God has given each person who commits his or her life to Him a spiritual gift; one (sometimes more) that is the best possible gift for that person. These gifts are special abilities given to us by God, and dispensed by the Holy Spirit, to serve others, both within the Church and to the world at large. He has wired each one of us in a unique way, with a unique skill set, for a unique purpose.
The apostle Paul tells us that God has a specific purpose for every man, woman, child – “It is God himself who has made us what we are and given us new lives from Christ Jesus; and long ages ago he planned that we should spend these lives in helping others” (Ephesians 2:10, TLB). Paul also says that these gifts are displayed in some tangible way when we use them as the Holy Spirit intends – “To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good” (1 Corinthians 12:7).
The primary texts where spiritual gifts are mentioned are Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12; Ephesians 4:4-16, and as referenced in the next paragraph, 1 Peter 4:10-11. There are other “special graces” also mentioned throughout Scripture, for example – Exodus 31:3-5 (craftsmanship); 1 Timothy 2:1-2 (intercession); 1 Peter 4:9 (hospitality), along with celibacy, martyrdom, voluntary poverty.
The Bible does not specifically tell us when Christ-followers receive these giftings, but what is clear, all those who believe in Jesus Christ receive spiritual giftings – “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen” (1 Peter 4:10-11).
While it is unlikely that unbelievers are empowered with these same kinds of giftings, there are examples of unbelievers working in power, ways that at least resemble the supernatural ways in which God works in and through believers (Matthew 24:24; Mark 9:38; 1 Thessalonians 2:9).
Without each believer’s unique contribution, the Church and the advancement of God’s kingdom in the world will lack something of great value. Living as a Christ-follower involves being directed by, and using, the power of the Holy Spirit (Zechariah 4:6). And of great importance is that fact that while some giftings are more outwardly noticeable than others, none hold any greater value than any other.
The word Advent means “coming,” and it is during Advent, the season between Thanksgiving and Christmas, that we expectantly await the coming of the Messiah (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-25). If you have never committed your life to Jesus, will you consider doing so this Advent Season? If you are already a follower of Jesus, will you ask God’s Spirit, who lives inside you, to reveal your spiritual gift and then give you greater power to operate in it, bringing hope to those around you, in this world that so desperately needs a sense of great and lasting hope. Receiving Jesus, and this supernatural getting and giving away of gifts are the greatest gifts anyone will ever receive.
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