Gifts in the Church

“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.” 
1 Corinthians 12:4-11

In answer to the question from the lawyer (a Pharisee),  “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” Jesus had this to say: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind...You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:36-39).

Love! It speaks of where the affections are focused. When it comes to your spirituality, where are your affections focused?

Jesus knew human nature all too well, and He often warned those who considered themselves to be of great spiritual stature to watch out for what sin? Pride! And why is pride such a threat? Because pride hinders God’s work in our lives. James tells us that “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6).

If we are not careful - along with the sense that we are making some progress in our Christian lives, there comes a traveling companion - pride. This devastating cancer can arrest your growth if it is allowed to go unchecked.

The treatment for killing pride is to go back and check your affection. What holds your affection? Be sure to place it fully upon God Himself, not upon what He has to offer. Don’t look for the by-product of a relationship with God. When He is your focus, His gifts come naturally.

“He who loves with purity considers not the gift of the lover, but the love of the giver” -Thomas á Kempis