Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.
1 Corinthians 12:27–31, ESV
Spiritual gifts within the Church are an area of contention for some, yet it should not be. When Paul explains it in the terms of a natural body, it shows the importance of each person who is a part of the Christian Church to function as God has called them to function. The saddest words that could come out of a Christian’s mouth are, “I am not needed.” Not only does it show a lack of understanding, but a lack of faith and discernment of what and where God is calling. We all have gifts of some sort, and there are the gifts that God gives us for daily living to help us earn a living and take care of our needs, but there are also those gifts that are set apart for the purpose of God. When each Christian lives into those gifts, we find a great blessing. The Church functions as God desires, and there is great satisfaction found within her people. Each gift that is offered is different and necessary. In knowing my limitations, there are those gifts that I know I don’t have. Now I can function within some of them and do what is necessary, but by no means are they a gift of mine, and I am always in awe when I see someone perform them in ways that I would not be capable of. The greater gifts are those centered on love. When we do the things we are called to do without umbrage but purely out of service to God, it is centered not on gaining favor with anyone but on doing what God has set apart for us to do. It is a holy act. Not one that brings salvation but an act that brings satisfaction to our souls. As we do all that our Lord calls us to do, we find that our purpose is greater than our imaginations and that we, like the saints of the past, walk closer with our Lord with a greater sense of His peace as He journeys with us in the paths of life which He has prepared for us. In this, we can more clearly see our purpose and find our hope.
Let us pray. I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, your dear Son, that you have kept me this night from all harm and danger, and I ask you to protect me this day also from sin and every evil, that in all I do today, I may please you. For into your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel watch over me, that the wicked foe have no power over me. Amen.