Spiritual Gifts
No subject is sure to elicit as many strong feelings among Christians as the subject of spiritual gifts. The charismatic movement has propelled the issue to the fore front of many church divisions. Sadly, a treasured component of the Holy Spirit’s work on the behalf of believers has become the source of so much confusion.
This text in Peter makes clear several things about spiritual gifts. First, each one who is born into Christ is a recipient of a gift. This gift is not only salvation- it is also a means of serving others. We also see that God wants us to manage this grace well. I think this points to the fact that we are stewards (managers) who will give an account. He has invested in us expecting a return on His investment.
Peter then breaks all various gifts into two main categories: speaking gifts and serving gifts. If we speak on God’s behalf, we must be sure to not misrepresent what God has spoken. If we serve, we are to do so through the very strength that God provides. This makes clear to us that these gifts are more than natural talents or abilities. They are Divine enablements.
In conclusion, these gifts are not based on individual merit or prowess- they are dispensed by the Sovereign wisdom of God. Thus God is glorified and man is abased. As Paul tells us in Corinthians- He hasn’t chosen many wise, noble or strong- instead He has been pleased to bring glory to Himself by saving and using the nothings of the world.
So as we consider ministry today- seek deeply to be used by God, for His glory in ministering in the church that the body might grow and be strengthened so that in all things God might be glorified in Christ.
Because of grace,
Tim
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