Body of Christ: Scene Seven
What’s the most enjoyable part of Christmas? Yes, that Jesus was born, but truthfully, what’s the most fun? Gifts!!! God gave us the first gift of His Son and now we, in turn, give gifts to our loved ones as well. However, Jesus also gave gifts:
But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore it says, “When He ascended on high He led a host of captives, and He gave gifts to men.” Ephesians 4:7-8
That quote (Ps. 68:18) prophesied the Messiah giving out gifts to His people; and so He did. They’re not lower story gifts as we give but they’re tremendously more valuable to the Body of Christ. The spiritual gifts, the upper story, are Jesus’ way of demonstrating love to His Church in His absence. We are the hands and feet of His Body, therefore, when we move with power and purpose people experience His love through us.
Interestingly, there are many ‘spiritual’ references in the New Testament: spiritual gifts, spiritual things, spiritual thoughts and words, spiritual people, spiritual food and drink, spiritual blessings, songs, forces, wisdom, house, sacrifices, and a spiritual body. Think the Spirit is making a point? All of these references are filled and empowered by the Holy Spirit so that He can express Himself through us: through you.
The spiritual gifts are the charismata, grace-gifts from Jesus to demonstrate His love within the Church. When you become a believer you receive His gifts and desire to express His love to everyone: It should be your passion.
God has given each of you a gift from His great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. 1 Peter 4:10
It’s fascinating to explore the gifts of the Spirit and how they operate within the Body, however, let’s continue with the big picture. Scripture tells us that the Spirit gives a variety of gifts:
Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. In His grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. Romans 12:4-6a NLT
We are all unique parts of Christ’s body with specific purposes and when we work together, as a human body does, there is a natural movement. The Head sends the signal that there’s a need and we move to meet that need: That’s a healthy body.
But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where He wants it. How strange a body would be if it had only one part! Yes, there are many parts, but only one body.
1 Corinthians 12:18-20 NLT
If we desire to express the love of Jesus Christ in our lives and churches then the spiritual gifts become our job description that we become familiar with. More next week.
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