Equips Believers
Now there are different gifts, but the same spirit. There are different ministries, but the same Lord. And there are different activities, but the same God works all of them in each person. A manifestation of the Spirit is given to each person for the common good: to one is given a message of wisdom through the Spirit, to another, a message of knowledge by the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another, gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another, the performing of miracles, to another, prophecy, to another, distinguishing between spirits, to another, different kinds of tongues, to another, interpretation of tongues. One and the same Spirit is active in all these, distributing to each person as he wills.
1 Corinthians 12:4-11 (CSB)
The Holy Spirit carries out the task of equipping believers with spiritual gifts for the work of the Kingdom of God. In fact, the gifts we receive align with the will of the Holy Spirit. When we obtain spiritual gifts, we also accept the responsibility to use them for the purpose of serving the Lord and making Him known. Therefore, we must strive to understand our spiritual gifts and rely on the Spirit to guide us in using them to serve the Kingdom of God.
THE HOLY SPIRIT EQUIPS INDIVIDUALLY
The Holy Spirit gives each individual believer special spiritual giftedness. Your giftedness is unique to you. Yes, there are overarching areas of giftedness, but even within similar gifts, there is uniqueness based on one’s personality and attributes. Consider an individual with the gift of proclamation. Not everyone who holds that gift proclaims in the same manner. Each proclaims with their giftedness out of who God has created and formed them to be. Your uniqueness, as God’s workmanship, is in harmony with the way the Spirit has gifted you individually to serve Him.
THE HOLY SPIRIT EQUIPS COLLECTIVELY
The Holy Spirit equips us individually to involve us in the collective work. The Holy Spirit unites us with other believers, each with different gifts, for the purpose of accomplishing the task at hand. He brings us together with others whose strengths complement our weaknesses and whose passions drive our labor. We must understand that the gifts of the members within the church exist in harmony and unity as the church strives to fulfill the singular goal of serving the Kingdom of God faithfully.
THE HOLY SPIRIT EQUIPS ACCORDINGLY
The apostle Paul notes that the gifts are given according to the will of the Holy Spirit. This statement reveals that one cannot manufacture their spiritual gifts or merely claim a spiritual gift. A spiritual gift comes from the Lord alone. When we recognize the origin of our spiritual gift, we must understand the expectation to use the gift in faithfulness because it is part of the expectation of the Lord for His children.
QUESTIONS
What is the spiritual gifts that the Holy Spirit has given to you?
How are you using the spiritual gifts in your life to work with others to carry out the will of the Lord?
