This is why the Lord Jesus commanded His early disciples to tarry in the city of Jerusalem until they are endued with power from on high before stepping out to be His witnesses. Natural abilities and resources are not enough for effectiveness and fruitfulness in God’s service. God’s work cannot be effectively done in the energy or strength of the flesh. Second, the gifts of the Holy Spirit are for effectiveness and fruitfulness in God’s service: In his letter to the church at Corinth, Apostle Paul admonishes the church on the right use of the gift of the Spirit (different kinds of tongues).Ģ3 Therefore if the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers, will they not say that you are out of your mind?Ģ4 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all.Ģ5 And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you. The right use or exercise of spiritual gifts in the spirit of love and meekness can convince the unbelievers of the awesome presence and power of Jesus Christ among His people, thereby leading them to repentance and salvation. Whenever and wherever the gifts of the Holy Spirit are freely exercised in love, there will always be miracles, signs and wonders resulting in God’s glory and praise (Acts 3:1-10, 4:21, 19:17). They make room for supernatural manifestation of God’s presence, glory and power. The exercise of the gifts of the Holy Spirit manifests God’s presence to the people. Christ is magnified and glorified before men as the believers exercise supernatural gifts in the spirit of love and meekness resulting in supernatural results. The Holy Spirit always seeks to glorify Jesus Christ in and through the believers. Jesus expressly said of the Holy Spirit, “He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.” (John 16:14 NKJV). The primary purpose or mission of the Holy Spirit in the world is to glorify Jesus Christ. Let us explore the Scripture to find out!įirst, the gifts of the Holy Spirit are bestowed upon the believers for God’s glory: What are the purposes of spiritual gifts? Rather, they are supernatural abilities or tools to glorify Christ and fulfill the mission of Christ. Neither are they divine tools for the accomplishment of your selfish dreams and ambitions. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are not bestowed upon you to project or promote yourself. Many believers and ministers of God today are abusing or misusing the supernatural gifts or abilities the Holy Spirit has freely bestowed upon them because they are ignorant of the purposes of the gifts. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.” (2 Cor. Paul warns, “For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. They are not spiritual basis for comparison or competition with other believers or ministers in the body of Christ. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are not divine yardstick for determining or measuring your spiritual growth and maturity. But each one has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that.” (1 Cor. Paul said, “For I wish that all men were even as I myself. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are not an exclusive privilege of some mature believers or ministers of God. Paul testifies, “But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.” (Eph. They are simply gifts of grace to be received and exercised by faith. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are not spiritual rewards or wages given to believers for their faithfulness in service, holiness, fervency in prayer, or long fasting. Paul states, “But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.” (1 Cor. They are supernatural abilities which the Holy Spirit distributes to the believers in the Church according to His will (Heb. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are divine expressions of God’s grace in and through the believers. “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all.” (1 Corinthians 12:7 NKJV)
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