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The Daily Word of Righteousness
Gifts and Ministries, #6
We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. (Romans 12:6)
The first gift and ministry Paul mentions is that of prophecy. Before we emphasize prophecy, let's leave Romans, Chapter Twelve for now and go over to the twelfth chapter of the Book of First Corinthians.
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. (I Corinthians 12:4-6)
The Holy Spirit gives the gifts. The Lord Jesus Christ administrates the gifts. The Father is the One who empowers the gifts and sees that His will through Jesus Christ is carried out.
All gifts and ministries given to the believer are under the control of that believer and subject to him or her. But the believer himself or herself is to remain in the rest of God, that is, to seek continually the will of Jesus so the gifts and ministries are operated correctly.
Right here we find one of the major problems of our day. We are being told by various teachers and preachers that we are to take our gifts and go forth to minister to a "lost and dying world." This is not true. We are not to take anything or go forth anywhere except as the Lord Jesus directs us. Never! Never! Never!
We even have ministers praying to the Holy Spirit, or trying to direct the Holy Spirit or the angels. This is the False Prophet.
There is no Bible basis for praying to the Holy Spirit, directing the Holy Spirit, worshiping the Holy Spirit, or singing to the Holy Spirit. Why are we doing that which has no scriptural support?
We are to pray to the Father in Jesus' name, worship the Father and Jesus, and sing to the Father and Jesus. Then we are to permit the Lord Jesus to direct us, for He is the Administrator of the Kingdom of God.
When we obey Christ He will give us as much of the Holy Spirit as we need. It is time for self-willed people to get off the throne and start being the slaves of Jesus Christ!
To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines. (I Corinthians 12:8-11)
Notice that the accent is on diversity.
Sometimes the four (or five) ministries mentioned in the fourth chapter of Ephesians are regarded as superior offices in the Body of Christ. The Scripture will not support this viewpoint.
To be continued.