I’m continuing my trek through 1 Corinthians and am pondering the impact God intended to leave on his people when he had Paul write Ch’s 12-13. Most are aware that these passages refer to spritual gifts and Love, but those are just the fruits or rather subtitles to the main point- which is unity.
Obviously there were issues amongst the Corinthian church involving people esteeming certain gifts over others (which is why certain gifts are mentioned- NOT because these are the only gifts as Paul makes clear in 12:4-5 when he uses the word “varieties”). The reason Paul even addresses any of this is because it brings disunity amongst individuals. Paul is reminding them and us, that we all have the same Spirit (v.4), the same Lord (v.5), the same God (v.6). Verse 7 further solidifies that the purpose for these gifts is not for our individual closeness with God or characteristic that makes us special or unique, it is for the “common good” (v.7).
The rest of the passage goes on to identify certain gifts only to have Paul reemphasize the fact that we all have the same Spirit who determines who gets what- further reminding us that we are all nothing without Him. (v.11, 18).
What takes me even deeper is God’s plan to use each of us individually to form the very place He CHOOSES to dwell. My whole life I’ve lived thinking as an individual and living independently, often priding myself of these characteristics. That mentality unfortuantely, still resides and is natural to my everyday instinct, however it is complete opposite of what God demands of His people. Over and over again he states how we are a part of one another.
I’m still learning how to flesh this out, but it is at least a humbling reminder that I’m really nothing special apart from His Spirit and His people.
Well said. Thanks