Christmas was full of shopping, traveling, gathering, feasting, gift exchanges, and movie binging. And, first and foremost, at least I hope, was celebrating the birth of Jesus the Christ. And now, in short order, as our children or grandchildren merrily play with their new gifts, we are likely balancing the checkbook, paying off the credit card, sweeping away the needles and tensile, developing a diet and exercise plan, returning gifts that don’t fit or work properly, and turning our attention to the new year. Okay, stop. Take a seat. Slow your roll. Before we turn our attention to the new year, let’s talk about Christmas, specifically gifts.
So, what did Christmas look like at your house? We actually gave gifts to our grandchildren a few days before Christmas. It was a logistic issue, of course. Moving on. So, after I read Luke 2 and shared the gospel, my wife Cheri began our gift giving with a question. She asked the grandchildren if they could remember the gifts we got them last year? The expressions on their faces revealed puzzlement among silence. And then she asked, what about the year before? Again, silence and baffled faces. She affirmed, the gifts we give you for Christmas will likely not be remembered. However, God’s gift of His Son is eternal. She further explained, when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior by faith, God gives us the gift of eternal life. I hope you agree that God’s gift of salvation to us by grace through faith in His Son is far greater than a Christmas gift. The Apostle Paul revealed this gift in his letter to the church in Rome, RO 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
If you are saved, you have realized by now, at least I hope so, salvation by grace through faith is undoubtedly the greatest gift ever. And yet, there is another gift that comes with the gift of salvation. You might say it is a partnering gift or a gift bundle. The gift is described as a spiritual gift or a grace gift. This gift is often overlooked, misrepresented, or ignored. Furthermore, this is not a gift you forget about or play with and then put on a shelf or in a closet. This is likely the reason Paul wrote to the church in Corinth saying, 1 CO 12:1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed.
Before I go on, we can’t discuss spiritual gifts until we first address Holy Spirit. The apostle Paul taught that we receive Holy Spirit (indwelled by the Spirt) the moment we receive Jesus Christ as our Savior by faith. Paul declares, “1 COR 12:13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.” Paul also teaches us that Holy Spirit is the seal of salvation for all those who believe: “EPH 1:13-14 Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.”
So then, what does Holy Spirit have to do with spiritual gifts? Yes, Holy Spirit assigns/apportions/gives each believer in Jesus a spiritual gift. As Paul explains, 1 CO 12:11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills. Furthermore, many assume spiritual gifts are received at the moment of salvation which is when we are indwelled with the Holy Spirit. However, there are a couple verses that may indicate God the Spirit gives spiritual gifts later as well. Both 1 Timothy 4:14 and 2 Timothy 1:6 refer to a gift that Timothy received when he was ordained. This particular spiritual gift was given to enable his future ministry.
In case you’re wondering, the purpose of spiritual gifts is “the common good” of the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:7), “build up the church” (1 Corinthians 14:12), “serve one another” (1 Peter 4:10). “glorify God” (1 Peter 4:11), “empower ministry” (1 Corinthians 12:11), and to prepare each of us for “works of service” (Ephesians 4:12–13). Spiritual gifts are given to each believer for work in and with the church. Spiritual gifts are given assuming worship, fellowship, community, and service among and with a family of believers.
So what are the spiritual gifts? We see lists of spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12, Ephesians 4, and 1 Peter 4, however these lists were meant to be representative not comprehensive. As Paul explains, 1 CO 12:4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. Basically, there are a variety of gifts for a variety of service and activity.
So what do we do with the spiritual gift given to us by the Holy Spirit? As Paul writes, “us them.” RO 12:4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them:
I realize that you may not be certain what you’re spiritual gift may be. Don’t panic. Start your discovery by studying the passages listed in this devotion and by attending our Discovering Our Spiritual Gift 301 class. Along with that, pray and also look for the ministry God has assigned you. If you try a ministry and its not a good fit, keeping actively looking. You may realize you’re not gifted for that particular ministry so try something else until you find the ministry for your gifting.
As I said, the gift of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus is far greater than a Christmas gift. I can also say, the spiritual gift given to you by the Holy Spirit is also greater. It is my prayer for you to receive both of these gifts. I can safely say that if you have received the free gift of God, eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord, you have been indwelled by the Spirit and with that, you have also received a Spiritual Gift from the Holy Spirit. It’s a power packed bundle. I know you’re tired from the Christmas activities so get on with it and don’t forget your gifts. No, not the Christmas gifts. Don’t forget your gift of eternal life and your gift from the Holy Spirit. After all, they are both greater than a Christmas gift.
A Work in Progress,
Gene
Who We Are