Missing in Action

Read 1 Corinthians 11:2–14:40

1. Now, dear brothers and sisters, regarding your question about the special abilities the Spirit gives us. I don’t want you to misunderstand this.
2. You know that when you were still pagans, you were led astray and swept along in worshiping speechless idols.
3. So I want you to know that no one speaking by the Spirit of God will curse Jesus, and no one can say Jesus is Lord, except by the Holy Spirit.
4. There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all.
5. There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord.
6. God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us.
7. A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. . . .
11. It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have. 1 Corinthians 12:1-7, 11

Try to put together a model airplane that’s missing a piece, and you will soon give up in frustration. Or if you are resourceful, you might make your own piece. But still, it will probably not fit as well as the original. Missing pieces become the most essential pieces, no matter how insignificant they may seem.

In this passage we learn that the same is true for spiritual gifts. All spiritual gifts are given by God to build up the church. But Christians tend to place more importance on some gifts and less on others. Those that are considered less important, however, are usually missed in one way or another when they are absent. As you read, think about the gifts that God has given you and how well you are using them to serve him.

Some spiritual gifts are still thought of more highly than others. In fact, some gifts are completely discredited as real gifts. But no spiritual gift given by God should ever be considered useless. Likewise, “acceptable” or “desirable” gifts should not be put on a pedestal above others. As Paul writes, “God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us. A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other” (1 Corinthians 12:6-7).

Learn to appreciate the variety of spiritual gifts that God uses to build his church. Give people with various gifts an opportunity to serve. See them all as helpers who can do something useful for God. At the same time, use the gifts God has given you to strengthen your church for the glory of Christ. Don’t allow yourself or your gifts to be “missing in action.”