Read 1 Peter 4:10-11: Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.
1 Corinthians 12:4-11: There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another 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 to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.
What do these passages tell us about be members together? What does it teach us about Jesus?
In 1 Peter 4:10, Peter’s use of the word gift comes from the word charisma. It can be translated to the word grace in the New Testament. Blue letter bible definition is this, “grace or gifts denoting extraordinary powers, distinguishing certain Christians and enabling them to serve the church of Christ, the reception of which is due to the power of divine grace operating on their souls by the Holy Spirit.” This means that our spiritual gifts are the result of God’s grace in our lives. They are undeserved, gracious, and divine gifts.
When we become believers in Jesus Christ, we are gifted by the Holy Spirit to serve one another. These gifts are the manifestation of the Holy Spirit. Only when we are in the right relationship with God can we use our gifts properly.
Every believer has at least one gift, according to 1 Peter 4:10. No one has all the gifts. This is found in 1 Corinthians 7:7. We have to have love for the spiritual gifts to work. They are worthless when we don’t have love. When we have communion with God, following Jesus, we will see that the church is not just a building to meet but a family where we serve one another. When we serve one another, we are using the gifts that were given to each of us.
What gifts has the Holy Spirit gifted you with? Are you abiding in love? Are your gifts being used to bring God glory?
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for giving us the gift of grace. Thank you, Holy Spirit, for giving us each a gift to use to serve one another. I pray that we will use these gifts to serve one another for God’s glory.
In Jesus Name
Amen
