1 Corinthians 4:7 "I always thank my God for you because of His grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in Him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge—God thus confirming our testimony about Christ among you. Therefore, you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed."
If you know church history, you know that the church in Corinth was not a very spiritual group of people. Later in his letter, Paul addresses several issues affecting the community of believers, including divisiveness, litigation, food offered to idols, involvement with prostitutes and class divisions at fellowship meals. But, despite all these issues, he begins his letter to the Corinthian believers by letting them know that he is thankful for them. He knew their hearts and though there were things about them that disappointed him, he also knew that God had given them spiritual insight and wisdom. He wasn't thankful for the misuse of their gifts but thankful for the gifts themselves.
Verse 7 stood out boldly to me as I read it this morning. "Therefore, you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed." Again, Paul was addressing the Corinthian church. Paul clearly tells the Believers in Jesus Christ that they were not lacking in spiritual gifts. This is a great reminder to us as a body of believers today that regardless of spiritual maturity, we have each been given at least one spiritual gift. Each believer has been gifted to be used in some way to make the church body whole. We have been blessed to be a blessing!
God has given your local church body, through the saints, every spiritual gift necessary to accomplish it's unique purpose in the Kingdom. What gift has God given You? How have you become available for God to use it in the life of your local church?
If you are not aware of the gifts God has given you, ask a mature Christian to give you insight or sit down with your pastor and let him help you discern how God desires to use you.
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Dear Lord,
Thank you for the gift of salvation and the freedom it affords. Thank you that at salvation you graciously gave us the Holy Spirit to guide us in this transformed life. Thank you for the spiritual gifts you have given us so we can do our part in helping our churches be whole. We have been blessed to be a blessing to others so Lord, please help us love on our brothers and sisters in Christ and personify all You are to each of them. May our praises to You continually flow from our mouths to glorify Your name.
In Jesus Name,
Amen