But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
1Corinthians 12:7 NAS
LET IT GLOW
As believers are saved by grace, so also are they equipped by grace to serve. Spiritual gifts are bestowed by the Holy Spirit upon every believer. They are given to individual members for the good of the entire congregation. They equip members of the church to function as the body of Christ in a community. Only the Holy Spirit can give these gifts.
In this chapter, Paul lists 9 spiritual gifts:
- wisdom
- knowledge
- faith
- gifts of healing
- working of miracles
- prophecy
- the ability to distinguish between spirits
- tongues
- interpretation of tongues
Blackaby states in his devotional book, Experiencing God Day-By-Day:
The (Holy) Spirit will manifest Himself through your life, not for your good alone, but for the benefit of those around you. The Spirit will lead you to a church body where He can minister through you to each person in that body. (verse 18) God does not add you to a church body so you can be an observer. The Spirit has an assignment for you within the body, and He will equip you by His presence for this work. What an exciting commission from God!
How is the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life benefiting those around you? God has equipped you with exactly what is needed for the edification of the body in which He has placed you.
Do I know what my spiritual gifts are? Am I using them for the encouragement of our church members and for God's glory?
LET IT GROW
I was born into a family with one sister and brother. I married into my husband's family with three sisters and three brothers. Those families talked to each other, loved each other, and did things together.Not only am I a member of the family into which I was born, the family into which I married, but I am a member of God's family and a local church family, also.
Am I encouraging others to join God's family and my church family? Am I helping other members grow in faith and obedience to God's Word?
The following is from Rick Warren's book, The Purpose Driven Life:You were formed for God's family. God wants a family, and He created you to be a part of it. This is His purpose for your life, which He planned before you were born. (Eph. 1:5, Heb. 2:10a)
When we place our faith in Christ, God becomes our Father, we become His children, other believers become our brothers and sisters, and the church becomes our spiritual family.
Ephensians 2:19B (Living Bible) says, "You are members of God's very own family, citizens of God's country, and you belong in God's household with every other Christian.
The Bible knows nothing of solitary saints or spiritual hermits isolated from other believers and deprived of fellowship. The Bible says we are put together, joined together, built together, members together, heirs together, fitted together, and held together and will be caught up together.
For the organs of your body to fulfill their purpose, they must be connected to your body. The same is true for you as a part of Christ's Body. You were created for a specific role, but you will miss this purpose if you're not attached to a living, local church.
Why you need the church:
1. A church family identifies you as a genuine believer. (John 13:35)
2. A church family moves you out of self-centered isolation. (verse 25 and 26)
3. A church family helps you develop spiritual muscles. (Eph.4:16b)
4. The Body of Christ needs you. (verse 7)
5. You will share in Christ's mission in the world. (1 Cor. 10:12)
6. A church family will help keep you from backsliding. (Heb.3:13; 13:17; James 5:19)
God created the church to meet your five deepest needs:
- a purpose to live for
- people to live with
- principles to live by
- a profession to live out
- power to live on.
Why is it important to join a local church family? Because it proves you are committed to your spiritual brothers and sisters in reality, not just in theory. You become a Christian by committing yourself to Christ, but you become a church member by committing yourself to a specific group of believers. The first decision brings salvation; the second brings fellowship.
Don't be a "bunny believer" who hops around from one church to another without any identity, accountability, or commitment.
Are you a member of a local Christ believing church? Do I encourage other believers to join a church?
How faithful am I to my church, to my fellow members?
LET IT GO
Stay faithful to my local church.
Find out my spiritual gifts and use them for my Lord and church.
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