CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE DAILY DEVOTIONAL ON YOUTUBE
1 Corinthians 12:4-11
There are at least two very important things that the Apostle Paul wants to convey to the congregation of the church at Corinth in 1 Corinthians 12:4-11. First, he wants them to be aware that everyone will not receive the same gift from God in the abilities and ministry that God has for them. He states in 1 Corinthians 12:5-7 (NKJV), “There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:” Paul goes on to list several different gifts that one may receive from God through the working of His Holy Spirit in the lives of those who have received God’s Holy Spirit in their hearts and lives through salvation in Christ Jesus.
The second thing that Paul wants to convey about the gift/gifts that one may receive from God through the indwelling of His Holy Spirit, he states in 1 Corinthians 12:11, “But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.” Paul wants the congregation of the church at Corinth to know that as they all may have different gifts given them from God, it is the same Almighty God that gives them these gifts, not as some of them may have believed that each gift came from a different god as was their pagan background. And with this is the realization and understanding that these gifts come through God’s will for their lives – not through their own desires/will.
This is a promise that all gifts of ministry come from God through His will for the individual and His purpose for their lives.
We too are given gifts of ministry from God in each of our lives according to His will and purpose for us. Some of these gifts may be of such things that may appear to be less important as compared to other gifts, but all are equally important in the eyes of God. What the most important part of this lesson for us is, is that in whatever gift God has given you, He has a purpose for giving you that gift. You may not even realize why, but that is not the most important part of your God-given gift; the most important part is that you open your heart and will to God to work through you with the gift He has given you – in Christ.
Dear LORD,
Please help us to not be blind to what You are desiring to do with our lives through the working of Your Holy Spirit that dwells within us, but show us and lead us in the paths that You have for us – make us aware with no doubt the road in which You would have us to travel – in Christ as You gift us with the tools in which You reach out to the whole world in sharing the gospel. In Jesus name I pray, amen.