The Gifts of the Holy Spirit: - Vital Christianity
The Gifts of the Holy Spirit: - Vital Christianity
The Gifts of the Holy Spirit: - Vital Christianity
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
22<br />
<strong>The</strong> proper approach to all gifts is<br />
“Test everything. Hold on to <strong>the</strong> good. Avoid every kind <strong>of</strong> evil” (I <strong>The</strong>ss. 5:21-22).<br />
Balance is key. Paul not only warned about <strong>the</strong> misuse and abuse <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> gift <strong>of</strong> tongues; he<br />
also warned against forbidding its practice. He put it,<br />
“. . . and do not forbid speaking in tongues” (I Cor. 14:39).<br />
A. B. Simpson, <strong>the</strong> founder <strong>of</strong> <strong>The</strong> Christian and Missionary Alliance, warned against seeking<br />
<strong>the</strong> gift <strong>of</strong> tongues more than o<strong>the</strong>r gifts, but he also warned against forbidding its practice. Thus<br />
his position was expressed with <strong>the</strong> formula:<br />
“Seek Not, Forbid Not.” 3<br />
Martin Lu<strong>the</strong>r was once asked if Thomas Munzer, a young enthusiast, had <strong>the</strong> <strong>Holy</strong> <strong>Spirit</strong>.<br />
“Yes, Lu<strong>the</strong>r replied, “Munzer has <strong>the</strong> <strong>Holy</strong> <strong>Spirit</strong>; he has eaten him, fea<strong>the</strong>rs and all.” Many socalled<br />
“<strong>Spirit</strong>-filled” Christians seem to have “eaten Him, fea<strong>the</strong>rs and all.” Such people are <strong>of</strong>ten<br />
guilty <strong>of</strong> “charismania” where <strong>the</strong>y place undue importance on <strong>the</strong> gifts <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Spirit</strong>. It is <strong>the</strong> fruit<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Spirit</strong> that is <strong>the</strong> test <strong>of</strong> our spiritual growth in Christ. <strong>Gifts</strong> are merely tools, though<br />
important tools, to be used for <strong>the</strong> work <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Kingdom. Fruit shows our growth in Christian<br />
character by God’s sanctifying work <strong>of</strong> grace (Gal. 5:22-23).<br />
<strong>The</strong> gifts and fruit <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Spirit</strong>, however, are related. A person who does not show interest in<br />
<strong>the</strong> gifts obviously is living in disobedience to God for <strong>the</strong>y are his equipment to do God’s will.<br />
Paul ties toge<strong>the</strong>r God’s will, God’s grace and God’s gifts (Rom. 12:1-8). It is by God’s grace<br />
that we are enabled to exercise God’s intention for His people—His servants.<br />
COMMITMENT<br />
<strong>Spirit</strong>ual gifts has to do with commitment since <strong>the</strong> practical result <strong>of</strong> knowing what our<br />
gifts are is responsibility and sacrifice in using <strong>the</strong>m to <strong>the</strong> benefit <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> church family.<br />
Elizabeth O’Connor put it:<br />
“<strong>The</strong> identifying <strong>of</strong> gifts brings to <strong>the</strong> fore . . . <strong>the</strong> issue <strong>of</strong> commitment. Somehow if<br />
I name my gift and it is confirmed, I cannot “hang loose” in <strong>the</strong> same way. I would<br />
ra<strong>the</strong>r be committed to God in <strong>the</strong> abstract than be committed to Him at <strong>the</strong> point <strong>of</strong><br />
my gifts . . . .