“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 Corinthians 12:4-7)
By faith we know and believe that God Almighty loves us. He has shown this love through and in Jesus Christ our Lord. He continues to show His love by providing for us. Part of His provision is manifested by His giving to His children the gifts of the Holy Spirit. These are given so that we may go forth in the Name of Jesus to proclaim His love to everyone we meet.
Back in Paul’s day, however, these gifts were being misused and abused by a group of members of the church at Corinth. These believers manifested great pride over their giftedness particularly prophecy and speaking in tongues. To these believers, these two gifts were the signs that they were spirit-filled and above earthly concerns and problems. They maintained that all true believers had to manifest such gifts. There pride made them think they were spiritually mature, already perfect. This pride and arrogance left them blind to their faults which included an elitist attitude and a serious lack of love toward one another. Naturally this attitude led to factions, divisions, and disagreements among the brethren.
Paul pointed out that these and all spiritual gifts were given by God for the exaltation of the Lord Jesus, not the self, and for mutual edification. All the gifts were given by the Holy Spirit as He wills and they are not meant for personal glorification. Thus each believer needs every other one in the church so that as the church they may properly function as God’s Kingdom on earth. This requires different gifts and talents. Diversity of gifts, not absolute uniformity, is the indication of the Spirit’s presence.
Therefore we should deem all our Christian brothers as our equals, no matter their gifts or talents. If we think some brethren lack our spiritual insight or maturity, or if they are not gifted with the same talents as we are, we should think any less of them. We must never give way to the sins of pride or arrogance such as many in the Church of Corinth had done. All members of the Body of Christ belong to God. He has called and gifted each with talents which are essential to the functioning and growth of His Church. We should always lift one another up in love.