There are times that you don’t remember you have blanked something out of your memory bank, especially when it has been a long time since the experience. You are going along and someone mentions something about an upcoming event that they are going to participate in, so you throw your hat into the ring, even though you know it is not an area you are gifted in.
I baked and decorated a wedding cake for a co-worker once…only once. I’m sure this was at least 35-plus years ago. It was for a very small wedding so it was not a huge cake. It was a nice size though. It was very simple with a cake topper and basket weave sides. There were a few piped stars and rosettes. It was at that time that I knew cake decorating was not my thing!
While visiting my cousin she mentioned a beginner cake decorating class and wondered if I would be interested. Beginner class sounded pretty easy. We went into it enthusiastically. The cakes were already baked and crumb coated. Basically all we had to do was decorate. We, my cousin, her 12 & 16 year olds and myself, started out well.
I ran out of red frosting for Santa’s hat so I ended up spreading most of his hat on instead of piping it on. Honestly, it did not look horrible. I got most of the front piped. My biggest mistake was that I should have piped his mustache at the beginning. My white frosting was pretty melted by the end and poor Santa’s mustache just melted off his face into his beard.
We had fun and we made a huge red and white mess, but I did have a thirty-five year old flash back. I have so much admiration for cake bakers that do these fancy decorations. There really are areas that we are not gifted in, but then, there are areas that we are gifted in.
One of the things Paul covers in his first letter to the church in Corinth is the topic of gifts, or spiritual gifts. Here was the setting of where this letter came from:
Paul received an oral report and a letter from the Corinthian church. These revealed a church struggling with division, immorality, idolatry, and theological confusion. He wrote them this letter so that they would become a true dwelling place for God’s Spirit (3:12, 16), stay faithful to the gospel, and be “guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1:8). 1
Apparently, the church was suffering from contentions having to do with disbursement and rivalry over spiritual gifts. In 1 Corinthians 12:4-7, Paul addresses misunderstandings or confusion arising from perceived distribution of gifts to different persons. 2
He tells them that there are different gifts, but they all come from the same Spirit. Seemingly the gifts are administered in different ways, but they are given by the same Lord.
The gifts can be different in how they are executed or how they are accomplished. Even though they can be different, it is God who manages all gifts for each believer.
The challenge for those that follow Christ should be first to acknowledge that God does provide each believer with a spiritual gift, or gifts. Then while utilizing your spiritual gift(s) do not put yourself up on some sort of pedestal thinking that your gift is more important than someone else’s. Every believer has a place in the working of the Church utilizing their specific gifts.
This passage can be applied to our lives by seeking to understand what our spiritual gifts are. Then seek to use them to minister to the Body of believers. We should realize that the Holy Spirit extends various gifts to different members of the Body so that they can work together and enhance each other and the work of the Church.
How is my faith strengthened by studying this passage? Knowing that all gifts are provided through the Holy Spirit, to honor the Son and are created by the Father, God, gives me the desire to determine and develop my specific gifts to use for God’s kingdom.
Lord, You do create individual and recognizable places in the Body for each follower of Christ. Thank you for the gifts that You provide to serve the church and other believers. This helps to display the variety of gifts within the Church and how You move and work through us. Help me, Lord, to focus my gaze on the gifts that You have for me, and help me to utilize them to the best of my abilities.
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“4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.” 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 (KJV)
“As every man hath received the gift, [even so] minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” 1 Peter 4:10 (KJV)
“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of [his] good pleasure.” Philippians 2:13 (KJV)
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I feel that since God has given me the gift of this platform, I must always tell you about my Jesus.
What is your relationship to the all-knowing God of the universe? Do you know Jesus? Do you know the peace that can come only from an intimate relationship with Him? You can know Him. Jesus Christ, God’s Son, born into human flesh, sinless, crucified and giving His life freely, buried, arisen on the third day, will come into your life and change the outcome of your eternity. You just have to be willing to believe and accept His truth.
Here is an excellent website that can give you additional information about making your decision for Jesus Christ! PeaceWithGod.net
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1 BLB Online, Commentaries, ESV Global Study Bible, Introduction to 1 Corinthians (https://www.blueletterbible.org/esv-study-bible/new-testament/introductions/introduction-to-first-corinthians.cfm?a=1074004)
2 Strong’s Concordance, Lexicon :: Strong’s G1243 – diairesis (https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g1243/kjv/tr/0-1/ https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g1243/kjv/tr/0-1/ https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g1243/kjv/tr/0-1/ https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g1243/kjv/tr/0-1/)
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Restricted Vision, Unburdened Sight 