Vince Deagler

let’s play a game of word association…okay 2 words…spiritual gifts.  what comes to mind?  i am not sure why, but spiritual gifts are one of the more controversial subjects within christianity.  this is unfortunate since spiritual gifts are significant as far as spiritual growth, body life, and function are concerned.  allow me to explain.

growing to full spiritual maturity is a process that takes place over time.  within that process the developing christ follower is exposed to ministry on several levels.  for instance,he/she has experienced the impact of ministry in their own life.  he/she has observed others ministering.  he/she has seen how it has effected others.  in the process the christ follower begins to recognize not only the importance of ministry, but they begin to see that they themselves are called to be ministers.

1 corinthians 12:4-7 teaches there are various spiritual gifts extended to the individual members of the body.  these gifts function within the context of the ministries the lord has purposed for his church (his body) to perform to fulfill her mission.  these gifts are then energized/empowered by god so that they bear fruit.  every believer is included in this scheme, and the purpose is for the common good…to benefit the body as a whole.  in other words, the gifts, their associated ministries and impact are not about me…they are about what is good and best for the body.  i personally believe this is one of the driving reasons paul points to a more excellent way as he closes chapter 12 (see v. 31).  note as he begins chapter 13 his point is the exercise of our gifts, without the necessary characteristic of love is a waste.  but remember what the bible says about love.  it is the distinguishing characteristic of a christ follower (john 13:35), it is one of 2 great commandments (mark 12:28-31), and loving your neighbor is a fulfillment of the law (galatians 5:14).  in a way, doesn’t that mean love is a measure, maybe the measure of spiritual formation?  as i pointed out in my last post, until the individual members of the body take spiritual growth seriously, and actually start living out the totality of the teachings of christ, we will be handicapped as far as fulfilling our mission.  the characteristic of love may not be the only characteristic needed, but it is a great beginning point.

let me share a few examples that may help you understand.  would you agree maturing christ followers are to share their faith?  i’m a yes there.  i may be very gifted relationally, i may be very gifted intellectually to grasp the necessary elements of a gospel presentation, and i may be very eloquent as i share.  but, sharing my faith without love, without patience, without respect, with glaring hypocrisy will probably do more harm than good.  sadly, i believe i have done this.  maybe you have too?  most of us would accept the idea that maturing christ followers do good deeds, serve others, try to meet their needs.   but isn’t it easy for our motives to be tainted?  so that the activity degenerates into a photo op designed to let others know what a swell guy or gal i am?  and can’t our ministries compete with other ministries for man power and resource, so that soon we are guarding our turf, growing suspicious of and possibly bad mouthing others, and substituting our agenda over everything else?  i would suggest this is not helpful for the body.  i could go on, the point is ministry without maturity may not accomplish god’s purpose.

so, let’s make sure we are a part of the team…the functional body of christ.  let’s make sure we are taking spiritual maturity seriously by seeking to know and do all that christ has taught.  as we are growing and begin understanding the wonderful world of ministry…let’s understand our personal gift mix, how that mix best connects with ministry, and how god can and will make us productive as we get out of the stands and into the game.  but remember, as we play (serve) we are the body of christ.  during the incarnation he had a physical presence in this world, we are that physical presence now.  let’s try to act like it, think like it, feel like it, serve like it, etc.  cause when spiritual maturity meets spirit gifted, jesus directed, god empowered ministry…well, the gates of hell cannot/will not stand. 

that’s all for today.  would love to hear your thoughts.  thanks for reading.  peace!