The Grace Gifts of the Holy Spirit
1 - The Gifts
In the book of Romans, Paul, the Apostle, discusses the grace gifts that the Holy Spirit gives to those who place their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 12:
3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
New International Bible
Here, Paul lists for us seven gifts of grace which are to bring the body of Christ together. In three of these grace gifts our words are directly associated: the gift of prophesying, the gift of teaching and the gift of encouraging.
In the other four grace gifts our actions and attitudes come to the fore: the gift of serving – also called the gift of helps, the gift of giving, the gift of leading, and the gift of showing mercy.
Paul says here that we must have God's grace working in us in order for these grace gifts to be displayed.
Not my will, but Thine be done that the fullness of the Son may dwell within this life that I now offer Thee;
Until everything I do becomes the thing that pleases You, Abba Father I would be a son indeed.
Prayer:
Our Father, we thank You for Your grace which is working in our lives and changing us to be like Jesus. We thank You for Your encouragement today. And we thank You that we can minister to others and build up the body of Christ and bring it together, in Jesus' wonderful name, Amen.
Hope we can get together again tomorrow, God willing. Meanwhile, have a great day walking with The Lord Jesus Christ! |