1 Corinthians 12:1-11
Spiritual Gifts
Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. You know that when you were pagans, you were enticed and led astray to idols that could not speak. Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking by the Spirit of God ever says ‘Let Jesus be cursed!’ and no one can say ‘Jesus is Lord’ except by the Holy Spirit.
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses.
Reflection
There are some things that stand pat in the differences we have in the Church. A couple pointed out in this passage jump out. They are obvious. The same Spirit, the same Lord, the same God. Just observe the number of times the Spirit is mentioned. We are gathered together around Father, Son and Spirit. We are different and unique and loved Children of God gathered around the Same.
The gifts the Spirit freely grants to us, spring to life individually just as the Spirit chooses for them to come to life. We gather together in the oneness of God. And in this gathering we declare with one voice, "Jesus is Lord!"
Prayer
God, as I gather with ALL your saints on earth and in heaven, may each and all of us proclaim that Jesus is Lord!... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen
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