Epiphany 10 Spiritual Gifts, the Means to An End

[HKHaugan]

Let’s do a short review. Spiritual gifts are given for a purpose. They are the means to an end,”…to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ (Eph.4:12-13).”

There are seven unique purposes in God giving us spiritual gifts.

First, they are the means by which we not only take up our cross of faith but also help one another in their daily faith building.

Second, they are the means to thawing out the individual heart from the freezer of aloneness and fear in which sin placed it.

Third, they are the means by which the Body of Christ is built and God’s Kingdom is spread.

Fourth, they are the means to relational restoration to God and one another.

Fifth, they are the means to heal the gaps between natural talents and their spiritual application.

Sixth, they are the means to renew and strengthen our worship and service.

Seventh, they are the means by which human personality and character can be spiritually re-formed and readied for our returning Lord.

In other words the bottom line is this: spiritual gifts are given for spiritual maturity so that “...we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ (Eph.4:15).”

If we are really into the gifts of the Spirit our personal experience of God is one of intimately sensing the Spirit working in us and through us. We have not only a growing awareness of the Lord’s presence but also His appreciation of the spiritual depth in others, that of the believer and that of the spiritual potential lying in the hearts of the unbeliever. Further the gifts enable us to minister more effectively because we are stretched to go beyond just being a good neighbor to being someone who effectively assists others, sticks with them and follows through until they find balance. Spiritual gifts carry us to the level of the ‘Good Samaritan’ who not only picks up the beaten man on the side of the road, but pours oil on his wounds, takes him to an inn and makes sure he follows up on him even after that. All the gifts are ministry gifts making us all ministers.

Next, the spiritual atmosphere God gives so that the gifts are developed, shared, and received. Hint----the fruit of the Spirit……..stay tuned……..