“But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.” 1 Corinthians 12:7
Dear Ones:
What is the overall reason for which we come into this world, are given certain gifts and capacities, and primarily are brought to the place by redemption, where we can know fellowship with God? It is for the “manifestation of the Spirit.” Why would one say this? We know that the overall purpose of man is that he should glorify God. We also know that in glorifying Him, Christ will be honored and glorified by the working of the Spirit. With regard to speaking and preaching, Paul wrote to the Corinthians, that it was to be done in “demonstration” and power of the Spirit. Why is this so very important? Christianity is the unveiling of a LIFE lived, that of Christ, in the heart and soul of the believer. That LIFE is given to dwell in the heart, so that there will be the testimony of the reality of God, the witness of Him throughout this world. How is this to be? It is to be because of the predetermined will of God, His working from before the creation of this world, and the unveiling of His wisdom, knowledge, and love. How does this relate to the individual? David wrote: “…I will praise Thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” (Ps. 139:14) Each person on the face of the earth, and in particular, every believer, was born for such a time as this, given a specific calling that is embedded in, and eclipsed by communion with God. He or she is given specific gifts and capacities, both natural and spiritual. All this was done so that, as the believer walks with God, abiding in Christ, living and being led by the Spirit, there would be the specific manifestation of the Spirit in the life. Christ would be formed in the heart, revealed by the Spirit, through the gifts and calling of God.
How many Apostle Pauls have there ever been in history? Only one. How many Isaiahs have there been in antiquity? Only one. What about another Ruth or Naomi, Ester, or Mary the mother of Jesus? Each individual believer mentioned in the Bible was unique in his or her time, created for a purpose, and equipped perfectly to accomplish the will of God for their lives. What then was the key element by which each had to live in order for all capacity and devotion to be brought into focus and alignment with the eternal purpose of God which He foreordained before the world began? The element was FAITH, simple, all en-compassing faith in Christ. Not only is the “just” or righteous man to live by the principle of faith, but his faith is to be in one Person for time and eternity. Why is faith the key? True faith is that God-given, sole means by which a helpless and hopeless sinner can receive from God all that he needs in Christ. It is that unique means by which he opens his mouth, trusting the Lord to fill it. It is also that means by which he or she appropriates all from Christ, so that there will be the manifestation of His LIFE, the witness of the Spirit, for the glory of God.
The uniqueness of one’s calling, as expressed in the fact that Christ calls His sheep by their name, is also clearly seen in Paul’s words to the Corinthian believers: “But all these (gifts) work that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally AS HE WILL.” (1 Cor. 12:11) God gives gifts, in His sovereignty, to every man or woman as He chooses in His wisdom, goodness and love, to do so. Paul reinforces this thought by writing: “But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, AS IT HAS PLEASED HIM.” (v.18) Every believer is unique in his calling by God, by virtue of his unique name, and by his gifts. As the believer lives and walks by the Spirit, Christ’s life is manifested to the world.
Dear Father, Give us to see our calling, gifts, and to know true communion with Thee. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad