The Gift of The Spirit (2): The Word of Wisdom.

The first gift Paul mentions is the gift of wisdom (v 8). It is listed first perhaps because it is foundation to the church and this is a gift that the believer can earnestly desire (v 31). Wisdom is clearly taught in the Word of God and “The fear of the LORD is beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding” (Psalm 111:10). This is the precious gift that Solomon asked for and received from God to be able to rightly rule God‘s nation (I Kings 3:12). With this wisdom, Solomon could understand what to do in difficult decisions. Wisdom is also associated with fearing the Lord.

On the other hand, Fear is simply standing in awe of God in reverence and respect. It entails loving His Word and being obedient to what it says. There is no wisdom in disobedience. This means that if some members are revering God’s laws and statutes, including loving God and loving your neighbour, that many members in the church can have this gift. Of course, many cannot have it either. This gift is of supreme importance for members in the Body of Christ for if we can love God and our neighbor, we can greatly contribute to the church and those outside of the church. This love is another way of showing unbelievers and attracting them to Christ by it (John 13:35).

The Gifts of The Spirit (1)

What are these gifts of the Spirit? How can you know that you have particular gifts of the Spirit? Can others give us an indication of what our gift is? What does the believer do with these gifts in the church? Are some gifts more important than others? Are the gifts of healing still being accessed today by believers? Is the gift of miracles still existent in the church today?

Each and every believer has been given by the indwelling of the Spirit of God, gifts of the Spirit (Acts 2:38).  In Acts chapter 8 and in 1 Corinthians chapters 12-14 we see external gifts of the Holy Spirit. They were not gifts that they have been developed by human capacities, therefore the believer has absolutely no right to brag on these gifts. If we exalt in our gifts, we are taking credit for something that we have not earned ourselves. It is like taking credit for a gift you receive on your birthday. It is just that; a gift that was not yours but given to your freely and it is given apart from any inherent capabilities that you have within you. It is not like changing the old hymn from How Great Thou Art to How Great I Am.

Righteousness!

We become righteous through Christ. It's in the Bible, II Corinthians 5:21, NIV. "God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God." Romans 3:22, NIV. "This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe."

Our righteousness is in the Lord. It's in the Bible, Isaiah 45:24, KJV. "In the Lord have I righteousness and strength."

We do not become righteous by being good. It's in the Bible, Isaiah 64:6, TLB. "We are all infected and impure with sin. When we put on our prized robes of righteousness, we find they are but filthy rags. Like autumn leaves we fade, wither and fall. And our sins, like the wind, sweep us away."

We are not righteous by nature, God makes us that way. It's in the Bible, Psalm 51:10, TLB. "Create in me a new, clean heart, O God, filled with clean thoughts and right desires."

Holiness

God's holiness is our standard for holy living. It's in the Bible, I Peter 1:15, TLB. "But be holy now in everything you do, just as the Lord is holy, who invited you to be His child."

God's holiness cannot tolerate sin. It's in the Bible, Isaiah 59:2, NIV. "But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear."

Holiness is a gift of God's grace. It's in the Bible, Exodus 19:5-6, TLB. "Now if you will obey Me and keep your part of My contract with you, you shall be My own little flock from among all the nations of the earth; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be a kingdom of priests to God, a holy nation."

Holiness grows in response to God's Word. It's in the Bible, John 17:17, NIV. "Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth."

Sanctification!

Bible teaches, that sanctification means to be set apart for holy use.  It also means to make holy or to purify.  This is exactly the goal of every believer in Christ.  Like the Old Testament Temple vessels used by the priest, these were to be used for holy purposes and to be pure and to glorify God.  Today, Christians have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit and our bodies are the temple of God in which dwells the Holy Spirit and our bodies are vessels to be used for a holy or pure purpose for the glory of God.  The origin of this word is from the Latin “sanctus” which means holy or to consecrate.  The suffix of “tion” in sanctification is the ongoing or continuing process of this becoming holy.  It is a progressive holiness and growing in purity and it takes a lifetime.  We are being perfected and this perfection takes time and patience.  I thank God that He is patient with me in this process.  We cannot see much of our own progress until we start looking back at last year, and the year before and then ten years ago.  There should be noticeable differences in a person’s life that are tangible evidences of growth.