1 CORINTHIANS 12
27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. 28 And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way. – 1 Corinthians 12:27-31
1 CORINTHIANS 12 DESIRE HIGHER SPIRITUAL GIFTS
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
As a member of the body of Christ, you are assigned functions
The Holy Spirit decides what kind of gifts you will be given
For some, he gives apostleship, to others, prophetic vision
While others are given the roles of teachers
Others are administrators or miracle workers
So, ask and desire higher spiritual gifts
Your Father will not deprive you of such a wish.
If you have a loving and godly father, you are assured that if you request anything from him that will be for your own good, you will receive such a wish. How much more if it is our heavenly Father. In this letter, Paul was explaining to the Corinthian church the various spiritual gifts that the Spirit bestows on God’s children. He also proposes to them that they should desire the higher gifts.
According to studylight.com, the Corinthians were focused on gifts that aimed to show how good they are rather than usefulness, hence “the gift of prophecy was neglected while languages sounded forth among them with great show, indeed but with little profit.” Paul wasn’t asking them to choose certain roles to play in the body of Christ, but he tells them to focus on those that will edify each member of the body and not bring much attention to themselves. Because we are fallen in our nature, it is easy to choose performance- based gifts that will also bring some form of glory to ourselves instead of bringing all the praise to our Lord.
REFLECTION
· What do you think are higher spiritual gifts? Why do you think they are higher?
