Spiritual Gifts

K-Lai — Sat, 15 Nov 2003 19:13:00 -0800

Okay, since I didn’t get a chance to post yesterday, here’s yesterday’s super long post.

“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way.”
– 1 Corinthians 12:27-31 (NIV)

The gifts of the Spirit seem to be a major controversial issue in the church these days. While it’s not really a “salvation issue,” different churches have taken different views of what Paul means by these verses, and the role of the Holy Spirit in contemporary times.

For some believers, the Holy Spirit’s work looks different now than it did in the time of Paul and the apostles. Because the gospel was being written and the Christian church being founded, it was appropriate for the Holy Spirit to confirm the gospel message with miraculous signs and wonders. Now that the Bible is written, and Christ’s church is established, the Holy Spirit’s role lies more in the realm of drawing non-Christians to Himself and illuminating Scripture to Christians. While it is undisputed that miracles still take place, they are less common and, in some respects, shouldn’t be expected.

For other believers, the Holy Spirit is still as active today as He was 2,000 years ago. Yes, He convicts non-Christians of sin, illuminates Scripture to believers, but He still acts in other bold and mighty ways in the present. These believers claim that Scripture confirms the Holy Spirit’s movement now as it was before, and that we should be relentless in pursuing the Spirit’s gifts, especially those not commonly seen now (prophesy, tongues, words of knowledge, healing, etc.). On the extreme end, these believers say that the (dare I say it?) charismatic life we live as Christians out to be rich and full of emotion, often to the point where emotional responses are taken to be leadings of the Spirit.

To me, the above passage of Scripture seems to include both sides. Earlier in that chapter (v. 11), Paul writes that all of the gifts are “the work of the one and the same Spirit, and He gives them to each one, just as He determines.” So obviously these spiritual gifts are given out according to God’s wisdom, which is perfect in every way. Next, immediately following this list, Paul emphasizes that the church is a body, made up of many parts. The way I see it, the body of Christ has much room for these different views, so long as they all hold to Scripture. The last thing I want to do is to sound liberal here, because I’m not. God is absolute – His Word is unbreakable (John 10:35), and what is written in Scripture is the truth. However, some people are afraid to open up to the Holy Spirit’s power because they (I apologize for this phrase) “lack the faith” to believe that the Holy Spirit can do mighty things. I would venture to say that most of the Christians I know who are wary of the Charismatic movement actually live a fairly charismatic life. They live by faith, in total dependence on God to provide, and look to God as the source of joy, love, and life. Unfortunately, they aren’t comfortable with asking God to give them the gifts Paul listed throughout his epistles. We’ve been drilled to test the spirits so much to the point where we would rather rely on formulas, clever illustrations, and workshop exercises to live out our lives than be totally open to the Holy Spirit. When the gospel is shared, the four Spiritual Laws are taken out, or the Bridge illustration is given. When we say we want to “make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:18-20), we look at the Wheel illustration or the Hand illustration and use mini courses like “One on one with God” and the like. Now, these are great tools and they encapsulate Scripture’s truths very well, but that’s the heart of the issue: they encapsulate Scripture. No longer should we be concerned about what God wants to teach us, or what God wants us to teach others – it’s all handed down in a nice cookie-cutter formula. Even our worship of God – which, by the way, is our primary purpose for living, not to make disciples or to share Christ with others – has become compartmentalized into our comfortable, manageable form of Christianity. Worship is now that time right before the speaker where we sing nice songs, so that we can prepare our hearts for the real stuff, the Scripture preached by the preacher. What a sad attitude for Christians to have.

Worship is our life, and the Holy Spirit enables us to worship, empowers us to worship, and leads us in our worship. Unless our lives are completely surrendered to Him – in action, in attitude, in thought, and in heart – we won’t experience the true power of the Holy Spirit drawing us closer to the Father. Being with God is an experience – it’s not an abstract philosophical ideal that we cling to with our minds. I’ve heard it said numerous times that the truth should evoke an emotional response, and that emotions do not always lead us to the truth. There is a great deal of truth to that. Paul writes that God’s kindness leads us to repentance (Romans 2:4). David, a passionate man of God, always focuses on God’s truth in his writings, and that regardless of his emotions at the time, God’s truth brings about peace and joy. Just read any of his psalms.

Many people have told me that whenever God shows them something really cool, or when they truly feel like they’re in the presence of God, they get goose bumps and a warm chill-type feeling goes all through their bodies. I’ve heard it affectionately called “Jesus bumps.” I believe there is a great deal of truth to that. While Scripture is fairly silent at what it feels like when the Holy Spirit “fills [your] heart with gladness,” or being in the presence of Almighty God, it is quite apparent that God’s Spirit is omnipotent, and that we ought to be “struggling with all His energy” (Colossians 1:29). I, too, have experienced this joyful sensation, which brings with it supernatural peace and joy. It is no doubt God’s Spirit reminding us that He’s always near and inside of us. It is because of this Power that is now indwelt in us that we have the authority to proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord, Savior, and treasure of our lives. It is because of this power that is now indwelt in us that we ought to lay hands on the sick and pray for them. It is because of this power that is now indwelt in us that we shouldn’t be afraid to let God speak through us, though we ourselves are unworthy vessels.

Whew. Okay, this is an incredibly long post. And I ended it a bit abruptly. But there’s so much more on God’s Spirit that I could say. But I’ve been at it for a good hour or so, and there’s plenty more Scripture for future days. So, until next time, don’t fall up stairs – you might rip your pants!

k-lai.com: Spiritual Gifts

Spiritual Gifts