Spiritual Gifts

I've been a Christian a long time. When the family went on vacation, we'd visit churches wherever we went. I was in the Air Force for 10 years and lived in lots of places, experiencing lots of churches. Each is individual, but a common thread was the constant problem of exclusiveness. No, not "Christ is the only way." I've noted for a long time that it's generally hard to break into a church. They are so often established and, therefore, not quick to embrace new people, to fold them into the fold, so to speak. Discipleship is a rarity and connection can often be difficult, even in otherwise very good churches. I think, in fact, that this is the draw of megachurches for some. People can attend without being involved, connected, accountable.

It's jarring, then, to read about spiritual gifts. In his first epistle to the church at Corinth, Paul addresses the topic ... for several chapters. He establishes the concept in chapter 12.

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. (1 Cor 12:4-7)

What do we know? The gifts are provided by the Spirit. They're not inborn talents, acquired skills, trained actions, or anything that we produce. Further, each of us have at least one. No one is without a spiritual gift. Finally, the purpose of these spiritual gifts is "the common good." They're not for you; they're for the Body of Christ. Paul gives a sample list of gifts (1 Cor 12:8-10) (as in "varieties of gifts"), but he reiterates "All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as He wills" (1 Cor 12:11). He wills who gets what; not us.

Paul draws word pictures after that of the function of gifts in the Body by using the human body (1 Cor 12:12-26). No parts are without purpose; no parts are better than any other. Your gift is just as important as anyone else. Your gift is not more important than anyone else. All are individual. All are from the Spirit. All are necessary.

Which brings us to the modern "favored" category of "the Nones." These are people who consider themselves "spiritual" but not "religious." Self-identified Christians often tout this category. "Yes, I believe in Jesus, but I don't need some gathering of people to believe in Jesus." If it's not that far out, it's often more like, "Sure, I go to church; I just am not really involved." "Once a month or so." "At least on Christmas and Easter." We've grown, perhaps as an exercise in "American liberty," to disconnect "Christian" with "church." Go for a good sermon if you must, but let's not get too connected, you know? We've got enough going on in life; we don't need more "stuff" to do.

To every true believer, please let me be clear. That is not a biblical concept. Every true believer is part of the Body of Christ. Every true believer is gifted specifically to function in that Body. You've been given something from God (the Spirit) that you are supposed to share with other believers. It's not for you; it's for them. You can't function properly in the Body by disassociating yourself ... from the Body. And that includes emotionally disassociating yourself. "Oh, I'm there; I just don't want to be too connected." The Spirit gives us each a purpose and a gift to meet that purpose and if we simply ignore it, what does that say about our relationship with God? "Yeah, You're all right with me ... just don't ask me to do too much." Good luck with that.