In reading this morning from I Corinthians 12, I noted that "faith" is one of the gifts which Paul lists. He also lists "utterance of wisdom," "utterance of knowledge," (interesting that these are two differing gifts) "the working of miracles," "prophecy," and so on. "Faith" is one of the gifts.
In this listing (as with most) Paul says that to each is given differing gifts, but all are given from the common good. No one person possess all the gifts. We share and are dependent upon the community, within which all the gifts are distributed.
So back to that one particular gift - faith.
Do too many conversations with pastors only make allowance for expressions of one gift of the spirit? Have we (as a church) become so fixated on that one gift that none of the others seem important? Has there developed a hierarchy of gifts, in which faith ranks supreme?
I am not discouraging the seeking of faith, nor its importance among us. But as we involve ourselves in this community, this community where God has provided the great variety of resources we will need in order to fully be His people, let's not overlook the importance of each gift and let's not think that our inclusion in this community depends upon any one gift alone.
My latest spirit-filled conversation revealed a servant of God prepared to alter their life in order to more fully be the person God has made them to be. "Lacking faith," had not prevented their ability to hear the message in last week's Sunday School class, nor had it permitted the dismissing of a voice speaking to them in the silence of the darkest hour of the night.
Seek the gifts of the Spirit - among them, seek faith. But do not allow this pursuit to close you off to other expressions of God's presence and to ways in which God is equipping you to be a contributing member of the community which bears His name.
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