1 Corinthians 12: 4-13
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another the gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.
The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body–whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free–and we were all given one Spirit to drink.
A Thought
God sent his Son, Jesus the Christ, to the world to bring repentance and reconciliation for all people whether Jews or Greeks back to God, the Father. When Jesus Christ was ascended back to the right hand of God, Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to earth to give his followers the tools of the Spirit to continue the work that he had started to bring life eternal back to all who would believe. There are different kinds of gifts, but they are all given by the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but we all serve the same Lord. It is the same God at work in all mankind through service and gifts. We, who are many, are all baptized by the one Spirit to bring us into one body–the body of Christ. The Spirit is the one who determines what gift each member is given to work in ministry together for the common good for all. One member may receive a gift of wisdom, another a gift of knowledge, another faith, another gifts of healings, another miraculous powers, another prophecy, another discernment of spirits, another different kinds of tongues, and another interpretation of tongues. My thought is that this is a powerful message that the enemy of God does not want us to understand. Jesus Christ accomplished the complete salvation of all who will believe. Christians today should be filled with the Spirit of God with gifts working in unity to bring the love of God to all in the world so they may turn to him in repentance.
Our Prayer
Father thank you for your plan for mankind made possible by your Son, Jesus Christ and your gifts given by your Spirit to reveal your love and grace for all whether Greeks or Jews. Awaken us by the power of your Spirit to be your witnesses. We ask in Jesus’ name, amen.
