Spiritual Gifts
KaiWhey
I was wondering. Since the gifts listed in Ro. 12, 1 Cor. 12, Eph. 4 and 1 Pet. 4 were only stated and not elaborated on, do you think it is important to know exactly what those gifts meant? For example, "words of knowledge", "words of wisdom", "administration", "helps".
I ask this because when we (in general) teach about spiritual gifts, we tend to emphasis that a Christian should know what is/are his/her gift(s) so that he/she would be able to serve God effectively. I am looking from the angle that:
1. Since the exact definition of the gifts were never given, how then would I identify my spiritual gift?
2. And since Paul and Peter emphasized on doing to our best ability in love, maybe whether we know what gift(s) we have is not the important thing but rather the ministering to others is the emphasis.
3. This would eliminate the arguments on whether the spiritual gifts mentioned in the Bible were the only ones or there could be more
4. However we should be able to recognized these gifts in others whom God has raised for His ministry (like those in Eph. 4)
I wonder if you understand me? haha.
Joe
Yes I do see what you mean...
Let me ask a question- fundamentally, what is a GIFT? I see it as an
ability, provided by God, to meet a need in the assembly. It can be an
"intrinsic" ability (e.g. Timothy's gift as an Evangelist) or
"external" (e.g. Philemon's ability to provide for the saints
generously)
> 1. Since the exact definition of the gifts were never given, how then would
> I identify my spiritual gift?
The definition is not given, but the DESCRIPTION is sufficient to
identify a gift.
Question- Are we ever instructed in Scripture to IDENTIFY our gift? I
know that Timothy was exhorted to USE his gift...
> 2. And since Paul and Peter emphasized on doing to our best ability in love,
> maybe whether we know what gift(s) we have is not the important thing but
> rather the ministering to others is the emphasis.
Agreed.
> 3. This would eliminate the arguments on whether the spiritual gifts
> mentioned in the Bible were the only ones or there could be more
Agreed. We should not be asking so much "What is my gift?" but rather
"How can I serve God in the assembly best?"
> 4. However we should be able to recognized these gifts in others whom God
> has raised for His ministry (like those in Eph. 4)
Agreed. Its like a coach knowing where to position his players. The
Holy Spirit has given gifts and they are to be used like a BODY. It
would be odd if the FOOT tried to pick up a writing quil and compose an
epistle and not very efficient if the HAND decided to try to listen to
a conversation... :-)
To make it very practical, we should try to serve God where we are most
effective, but not limit ourselves to that. You should continue giving
to the Lord's work generously if you have been given the means to do
so. You should also open the Scriptures and teach if the need and
opportunity arises, even though you may not be "gifted".
What say ye?
Joe