A gift is a gift, right? You either have it or you don't. That is a false statement; Here's why. There are several common misconceptions that the body of Christ has about spiritual gifts in this modern church age. One such is that the gifts are not for today. This sentiment is based on non-experience and not on God's reality, nor on his word. The gifts of the spirit are the manifestations of the very nature of God. In fact, a few of the gifts that are listed in 1 Corinthians 12 are not only listed as gifts but are signs that follow, as well as Spirits of God.
Are the gifts of God for today? Absolutely, yes. "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." -Hebrews 13:8. Most Christians believe that the Holy Spirit, Jesus, and God are the three parts separate yet the same. Everything that applies to God, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit applies to the other two. Here are some examples. Jesus is the healer; God's name is Jehovah Rapha (God who heals). The spirit of God lives within you, the Holy Spirit lives within you (1 Corinthians 6:19). All Scripture is God-breathed, the Holy Spirit is the breath of God (John 20:22) and Jesus is the word of God (John 1:1-3) (2 Timothy 3:16). Jesus is the light of the world, David calls God his light and his salvation hundreds of years before Jesus' birth.
The list can go on and on, but there is no need. Since God doesn't change, he was the same at the beginning and the same in the end, then we know that his nature and his character doesn't change. He said in Joel 2:8 and Acts 2 that He would pour out his spirit on all people in the last days. Some may say that was for the first-century church for authenticating the word of God, but that's an inaccurate conclusion based on a lack of understanding of the word of God.
Yes, He poured out his spirit then, to confirm his word, but even today he still pours out his spirit to confirm the word. Also, the world is still here and Jesus hasn't come back yet so I'd be so bold as to say we are still in the end of days; therefore, I believe it's safe to conclude that God is still pouring out his spirit today (especially in a time such as this which is far more depraved than it was 2,000 years ago). I have seen the gifts in operation, I have seen angels, I have met Jesus. I know that everything he says in his word is the ultimate reality of the world.
The very fact that there is even a solid world around is the clear result and manifestation of the word of God. Everything that exists in this reality, in this first heaven, is a result of God speaking and resulting in the formation of this existence as we know it. What we even perceive as a solid wall is really, to its very basic elements, held together by word and light. Imagine being so powerful that you can speak and for trillions, billions, millions, thousands of years all of creation maintains a course and series of rules and regulations that exist because simply because you spoke it to be so?
A few of the gifts that are listed in 1 Corinthians 12 are not only listed as gifts but are signs that follow, as well as Spirits of God (remember, the signs are confirmation of his word). The manifestations of the gifts of the spirit are synonymous with the names and Titles of God. Jehovah Rapha, The God who heals you is the gift of healings; The spirit of Knowledge and Wisdom line up with the gifts of knowledge and wisdom: Spirit of Might is Gift of power (miracles signs and wonders);
Spiritual gifts are not something that you are merely born with and cannot access unless you were born with it. A spiritual gift is something that you may be born with, but it is also a gift that you are able to gain through the Holy Spirit. Spiritual gifts, as we learn from 1 Corinthians 12, are manifestations of the spirit. In 1 Corinthians 12:1 the word we translate as “Spiritual Gift,” is pneumaticos in Greek. Currently, a pneumatic engine is something that is operated by air or gas that causes a reaction and powers something to operate.
In the spirit realm, we are the engine, the Holy Spirit is the power that allows us to operate like a pneumatic engine by operating through us, and we in Him. In the Strong’s concordance it is referred to as the realm of the spirit, or an invisible, unseen sphere of the spirit realm where the Holy Spirit operates and gives gifts, imparts faith, etc. He is the gas that explodes through us with his dunamis Power allowing us to operate as well oiled (anointed) engine performing the will of God.
It is so awesome to think that we are part of the machine of God. Holy Spirit anoints us with oil that keeps us flowing smoothly, operating perfectly, and keeps us clean and rust free. He is the divine spark that ignites us setting reaction after reaction into motion to keep us moving forward, while he drives us to our destinies.
A multitude of people get hung up on thinking that it is the person that has a spiritual gift that does the interpretation. That would make dream interpretation entirely of the person and This spiritual gift would only be able to manifest if a person had a gift. This mindset puts the emphasis on the person, not on God. It’s a slippery slope that leads to unintentional idolatry; this mindset has been the mindset of the church by-and-large for quite some time. However, the bible does not teach us that a person is responsible for a gift but, rather, 1 Corinthians 12 very clearly tells us that it is the spirit that is responsible for the gift. 1 Corinthians 12:4, and 12:9 tells us that the gifts of the spirit are charismata, or undeserved gifts.
You can’t earn it, but you can learn to utilize it through the Holy Spirit. Strong’s concordance 5486 is charisma. This Charisma is defined not only as an undeserved gift but also as favor from God. While God is impartial in his love for us, he does favor all of his children equally. Strong’s states that these spiritual gifts divinely enable a believer to share God’s works with others; it is the Spirit-empowered service to the church to carry out God’s plans for his People.
Since the spirit is the one manifesting the gifts, then That spirit that you have access to that is living inside of you (1 Corinthians 6:19) can manifest any of those gifts so that you may do anything at all within God’s power (which is infinite I might add) to accomplish his will for his people. Mark 16:20, and Hebrews 2:4 tells us that the very reason he does these signs and wonders through us is to confirm that our message is true. This is how the Holy Spirit wants to use us to be his holy witnesses to this world.
If you feel like you don’t have that gift, or you can’t do that thing then go ahead and get out of God’s way! Let the Holy Spirit not only operate in you but through you as well! Something so simple will have a profound impact on your life. Whether you are interpreting a dream, interpreting an unknown tongue, or praying for the sick you have access to all those gifts anytime you need them!
Take the emphasis away from you having the gift and put it on the Holy Spirit operating through you.
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