Hello All,
(Just a general disclaimer that I must insert here at the beginning. I am but a lay person, like most of you. And these weekly “thoughts” are but my own. Not the definitive word on this or any topic. Just my own conclusions derived from my own study and faith in God. The greatest hope I have for these weekly “thoughts” is to have them be a springboard for further study on your part. Not to be a weekly treatise to be blindly accepted. So, please read them with this intent, this motive in mind).
This week’s lesson from “The Adult Sabbath School Guide” is titled “Unlimited Possibilities”. This lesson looks at the empowerment of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Especially the differing “gifts” with which we are empowered. An important concept. But one we can so easily pervert. It can lead us to be inward focusing as we look to magnify the gift we have to give to others. And by so looking inward, we can overlook the outward focus. We can look at the Spirit-inspired “gift” we have received, instead of the recipient who will receive our Spirit-inspired “gift”.
As Paul discussed spiritual gifts in 1Corinthians, his concluding comments included this very sage advice; “But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way” (1 Corinthians 12: 31). He then shows you “love” in 1 Corinthians 13. Love is the more excellent way. And love is the Holy Spirit-inspired gift that everyone can have (the first “fruit” of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5). Love is the gift that will lead you to exercise all your faculties for the good of the “other”. Lead you to look outside yourself and not inward-focused on the gift. Love is the universal gift that will lead everyone to exercise true Godliness. True giving. Love.
In the chapter on “Talents” in Christ’s Object Lessons, EGW comments on this parable which includes talents as well as Spiritual gifts. She states that “the special gifts of the Spirit are not the only talents represented in the parable. It includes all gifts and endowments, whether original or acquired, natural or spiritual. All are to be employed in Christ's service. In becoming His disciples, we surrender ourselves to Him with all that we are and have. These gifts He returns to us purified and ennobled, to be used for His glory in blessing our fellow men” (Christ’s Object Lessons pg. 328). I love this quote! It leads you and me to realize that we all have something of value. Every one of us. But the offering of ourselves to God in service to our fellow-man determines its true worth. That the real barrier to the Holy Spirit is you and me. Whether we will deign to “surrender ourselves to Him with all that we are and all that we have” (previous quote). The “gifts” we possess was never to be our focus nor our aim. The determining point was always this… will we offer ourselves to Him?
One other issue with this idea of “Spiritual Gifts” is the fallacy that I can only really succeed with the gift I have previously identified as my personal giftedness. That if the circumstance calls for a gift I do not possess, then that particular circumstance must be handled by another who has the “gift” that is needed. I find that to be a vacuous and cowardly approach. An empty and weak excuse that dishonors the Heavenly Giver. If you and I are present, attentive in-the-moment, the gift needed will surely be supplied by the Heavenly Giver, even if it has not been previously identified. Even if we feel it is not our strength. God is capable even if we feel we are not. We but need to “surrender ourselves” to Him and His leading. As Paul says. “My strength is made perfect in weakness… when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12: 9-10).
It is good to identify our strengths and weaknesses. But let us never limit God with anything. “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us…” (Ephesians 3: 20). Through His power, His very presence in us, He will “work in us” to do things you never imagined, let alone previously identified. Identifying it, labelling it can be a limiter. God is not limited, except by our own expectations. Let us expect mighty things. Let us place on Him mighty expectations. He is the God of power, the God of pleasant surprises, the God of Mighty love. Love able to break every stronghold. He is able!
With brotherly love,
Jim