Sometimes I get a little uncomfortable when people start talking about spiritual gifts. I don't know why, I mean the whole reason we even get to have a relationship with God is because He gave His Son as a gift! Salvation is a free gift, so we should be used to getting things from God by now!
The Corinthians (and I think we still do today) were having a problem though. You see, they were elevating people with more visible gifts, such as preaching, prophesying, healing, to a higher status than those with more subtle gifts like encouragement or administration. Every person on the planet has received gifts from God, and they are all meant to be used to for His glory. We run into trouble when we start thinking that some gifts are more valuable than others. That is when we start elevating people for their gifts instead of elevating God for giving them gifts.
The truth is, if everyone was a preacher and no one was able to be an administrator, there would be no lights on in the building because none of the bills would get paid! Paul uses the example of a body to make his point. If the whole body was one giant eye, we would be a freak. As it is, everyone plays a vital role (and a different role) in the body of Christ. It is ok that we have different gifts! That is the way that God made us! Use the gifts you were given for His glory, that is why He gave them to you in the first place!
Not everyone is a preacher or teacher, and that is just fine with God. He knew that before He made you. There is only one gift that we all have in common, and that is the gift of grace through Jesus' death on the cross. Because of that gift, we can (and have to) show love to the world. Love, Paul says, is the most excellent way. We love because Jesus loves us.
Enjoy the Journey
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