God’s highest purpose for His people is that they be built together into Christ’s image. In an effort to reach this all-inclusive goal, God employs two means: Spiritual life and spiritual gifts.
In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul makes a useful distinction between life and gift. The main difference between the two lies here: Gifts are used to minister. Life is that which is ministered. Stated simply, gifts are the tools; life is the content. Gifts are the utensils; life is the substance. Gifts are the instruments; life is the essence.
NT ministry is merely the release of Christ’s life from one person to another. Each believer has been given a ministry, and each ministry contributes something of Christ to His church and the world. It is for this reason that Paul likens ministry to a function of the physical body—some are eyes, others are hands, others are feet, etc. These different functions in the Body of Christ do not represent gifts. They instead represent ministries.
While two believers might operate in the same gift (say prophecy), their ministries may differ (one may be a hand and the other may be an eye). The hand might use the gift of prophecy to emphasize God’s eternal purpose. The eye might use the gift of prophecy to reveal something God will do in the coming year. The gift may be the same, while the ministry is different.
Our ministry is that which is unique to us. It constitutes that which we have received specially from the Lord. Ministry rests upon a specific apprehension, or insight, of Jesus Christ that we have received from God. And it is that unique insight that God calls us to contribute to His Body and the world.
In the area of NT ministry, gifts are simply tools. We use them to impart to others the Christ whom we know. Without Christ, gifts are empty. Still worse, without Christ, gifts are deceptive and misleading. What really matters to the Body is not our gifts, but the life of Christ that we convey through them. Again, it is not the gift that counts so much before God, but the thing which is ministered through it.
Regarding spiritual gifts, the two crucial questions that should be asked are, “What knowledge is being conveyed through the gift, and what kind of practical fruit is it bearing?” Good fruit is the fruit of love — which is treating others the way we want to be treated in the same situation. Good fruit is loving Jesus more and loving our fellow brethren more (see 1 John). Good fruit is becoming more like Jesus, the Lamb who was silent under persecution and attack.
These are the core questions we ought to be concerned with whenever we see a gift in operation—whether it be teaching, exhortation, prophecy, preaching, etc. When it comes to spiritual gifts, it is not the noise that matters, but the revelation of Christ that is given and the fruit that is produced.
It is all too common to discover that in groups where “gifts” abound, there is often spiritual immaturity among the saints and little to no unveiling of the Lord Jesus. This is the unfortunate consequence when Christians extol gifts above life. It is the consequence of seeking the Lord’s gifts instead of the Lord Himself. This was the peril of the church in Corinth. That church was rich in gifts, but woefully lacking in spiritual life and maturity.
Therefore, the health and increase of the Body of Christ can only come through a ministry of life, not through gifts alone. This is not to suggest that gifts are not needed, for they have their rightful place. But gifts ought never replace or usurp Christ Himself. Moreover, they are never to distract us from Him. Instead, the true function of spiritual gifts is to make Jesus Christ preeminent and central. Therefore, instead of seeking gifts, it is better to seek the Giver.
This has been a great series, Frank! I appreciate your balance and wisdom. Also, your focus on the gifts among a *group* of believers is important. It seems to me that the gifts operating among a community of believers (preferably where all are free to function) allows for a safe place to develop and test spiritual giftings. At the same time, this kind of group also needs discernment, as you pointed out in the last post. All of this requires a humble, teachable character, which I believe is where the Spirit is leading those who are being built up in Christ.
“God’s highest purpose for His people is that they be **built together** into Christ’s image.”
Amen!
Frank, well put/summarised/simplified. I grew in pentecoastal/charismatic circles where gifts were preemminent, not Christ!
Your simplifying what some have created/found to be an over complication of these expressions of Christ through each member is refreshing and I find personally unburdens the misconceptions that only weigh down the beautiful bride.
Derek – Australia
Frank–
I have thoroughly enjoyed this series!!
I have a question: What does this look like? None of the churches in the New Testament were perfect in their implementation of gifts. So, what does this look like today?
Answered in Part 3. Beyond that explanation, one has to “see” it. Some things cannot be communicated in print.
Today’s post = Awesome!
Frank, Great post. Can a person operate in spiritual gifts apart from the spirit? I don’t know if I’m articulating myself well enough but, I’ve always looked at people abusing gifts as a false expression of Christ. Meaning they aren’t really gifts but the counterfeit. It’s what my Italian brothers would call fugazi. However, reading Matt 7:22-23 it seems that my position is wrong. Maybe I’m misunderstanding that passage. I trust that if you’ve dealt with this in the past you will leave the link. Thanks.
Great question, Kalil. I expect to give my take on it in a future installment.
I wish spiritual gifts were in evidence enough to become a problem. What is seen instead are immature Christians trying to manifest gifts that they don’t have. Sadly, the “noise” Frank describes is simply drama from emotive types. I have witnessed genuine manifestation of the Spirit and He is well behaved.
I like this. Thank you.
Frank: Your gift and ministry is obviously to reveal more of Christ to many of us in a very clear and understandable way. I praise God for this, and may He continue to bless you in this ministry.
So loving this series!
“Our ministry is that which is unique to us. It constitutes that which we have received specially from the Lord.”
YES, YES, YES! We are each unique and precious creations of the Master Creator. I always tell my art students this at the beginning of each semester. Never compare yourself to your neighbor; each hand, each touch, each artistic eye is placed in you.
How I long to see the body of Christ come to this understanding and stop bruising and brow beating one another.
There is only ONE Truth, but oh the beauty of His many marvelous creations. It all comes back to the greatest command doesn’t it?
“We use them to impart to others the Christ who we know. Without Christ, gifts are empty. Still worse, without Christ, gifts are deceptive and misleading”
Amen this is a needed emphasis today, where so many are seeking gifts for themselves and not to serve others in the body. Sadly some with more outwards gifts are seeking esteem of men and not humbly using these gifts to glorify Christ and serve others.