ESOCS Devotional 23 March 2022
TEXT: 1 CORINTHIANS 12:4-31
MEMORY VERSE: “Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.”1 Corinthians 12:4 KJV
0 And the apostles, when they had returned, told Him all that they had done. Then He took them and went aside privately into a deserted place belonging to the city called Bethsaida. 11 But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing. 12 When the day began to wear away, the twelve came and said to Him, “Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding towns and country, and lodge and get provisions; for we are in a deserted lace ”
Instead of building up and unifying the Corinthian church, the issue of spiritual gifts was splitting it. Spiritual gifts had become symbols of spiritual power, causing rivalries. Some of them thought they were more “spiritual” than others because of their gifts. They used spiritual gifts to manipulate the people, as well as serving their own self interests.
God is completely involved in the giving, using, and empowering of gifts for the purpose of perfecting the saints, for the work of the ministry, and for the edifying the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:12). The many kinds of gifts, the many kinds of ministries, and the many kinds of activities were given by God, not to cause division in the body of Christ or for self-exaltation but to serve the needs of others.
What is the position in the body of Christ today? It is not different from what happened in the Corinthian church. In fact, it has surpassed. Today, there is envy, self-exaltation, wickedness, commercialization, false prophecy, deceit, fearful prophecy, belly-call prophets, etc. God is not an author of confusion. All spiritual gifts and functions are from Him. There is one body and one Spirit, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in us all (Ephesians 4:4-6).
Those in the habit of misusing the gift of God should desist from such act. God is watching. Having received the gift, let us use it well as good stewards of God and speak as oracles of God (1 Peter
4:10, 11). All spiritual gifts are from God, use it sacredly!
- How well do you use your spiritual gift (not necessarily prophecy)?
- Pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit in the use of your gift.
Read Other ESOCS Devotional here
FURTHER READING: 1 Corinthians 12, 13; Ephesians 4:1-16; Romans 12:3-8
Thank you for reading the ESOCS Devotional today. Please share and follow us on all our platforms to contribute to the spread of the Gospel.
ESOCS Devotional 23 March 2022
