Spiritual Gifts, 4

 ~ A Common Misconception~

Opening Comment  ~  “Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.  Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.  Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures” (James 1:16-18). 

Backdrop  ~  In my many years as a Christian and in a variety of Christian organizations I have observed an non-Biblical concept to be widespread.  It is often stated.  “All believers have at lease one spiritual gift.”  While true in a pure literal sense it implies that some believers have only one spiritual gift!  That would be impossible to prove from Scripture. 

Look first at the obvious fallacy.  Few mature Christians would argue against the Biblical teaching that we as we mature are to become more and more like our Savior, Jesus Christ.  Did He have only one spiritual gift?  While we may have one or a few strong spiritual gift at conversion as we grow we should be growing all the spiritual gifts.  Usually, we should minister initially in an area where one of our stronger gifts is required, while developing all the spiritual gifts. 

There is a parallel in Natural Abilities.  While some individuals are blessed with athletic bodies many are not – and regardless of the amount of dedication or practice are unable to perform at the highest physical level.  The same can be said about other natural abilities such as intellectual ability or musical talent.   But would anyone say that some individuals only have one natural ability? 

An Example  ~  One time at lunch with one of my spiritual mentors, “Dr. R.” I remarked that I so admired his merciful and graciousness.  He chuckled and replied, that the gift of mercy was one of his weakest spiritual areas but he had been working with God’s help to improve in that specific area.  It obviously was working since he fooled me!

Scripture  ~  At the end of 1 Corinthians 12 one of the key passages in Scripture about Spiritual Gifts we read: “But earnestly desire the best gifts” (1 Corinthians 12:31a).  Does not this imply seeking to be more than we are… to increase our spiritual gifting? 

One of my favorite passages of Scripture is, “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Corinthians 3:18).  If we are becoming more like Christ do you suppose our weaker gifts are strengthening? 

Closing Comments  ~  “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.  Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.  Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership.  Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all.  Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine.  Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you” (1 Timothy 4:12-16).

“Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.  For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:6-7).

“As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (1 Peter 4:10).

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

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