Marsha's Musings: Gifts of the Spirit; Members of One Body;A More Excellent Way

1Co 12:5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord.
1Co 12:7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:
The Holy Spirit has given each believer a specific ministry gift. Verses 8-10 tells what they are. Their main purpose is to benefit others for the common good..

1Co 12:18 But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased.

Paul likens the church to a person's physical body in the previous verse to this (12-17).  Christ is the church's head and believers are His body.  Each member of the body is important and God has made each member of the body for its specific purpose as He has pleased to do it.


1Co 12:22 No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary.

I really like this verse.  Those of us who are weak in some way are just as important as those who are stronger.  This can be meant spiritually, physically, mentally or in giftedness.  We are all important to the body of Christ in some way.  It is possible that while we think we might be somewhat useless to the body of believers, that we are actually a great encouragement to someone and don't know it. Just because you are a weaker member doesn't mean you are unimportant in God's economy.  He has use and purpose for all of us.

1Co 12:26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

This is so true!  I have seen it again and again.  It's a beautiful thing to see.

1Co 12:28 And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.
 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles?
 30 Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?
 31 But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.
It is interesting to me that in many churches people clamor after these positions.  They want to hold some position within the church as if they can not exercise the gift God has given them unless they have an official position or title in the church.  Our gifts are meant to be used and exercised in our every day living and interaction with other believers.

Paul says here that he will show us a more excellent way than clamoring after position or title in the church so "we can use" our gifts.  Chapter 13 shows us that more excellent way.  It is in exercising the fruit of the Spirit which is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, and faith,  gentleness, self-control, according to Galations 5:22.  We will find all of these in Chapter 13.