Gifts, Services and Activities

1 Corinthians 12:4-7 ESV
4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

Three different sections are given here. Among Christians, one is generally thought to be from the Lord, while the other two are thought to be for the Lord. This portion of scripture shakes up that thought.

"What is my spiritual gift?" Has this become the battle cry of those hungry to find where they fit in the Lord? Are you one of these? What is it about me that makes me special?

Rest assured, you are special. Here are a couple of verses to read, learn, and believe so that you don't doubt how precious you are and get distracted by taking on the world's perception of what makes you special. John 1:12,13; Ephesians 1:6; and John 3:16.

All spiritual gifts, services and activities come from God. I guess the right question here would be what is the difference between "gifts, services, and activities." To help out, I looked to see what the King James labeled these three: gifts, administrations, and operations. Clear as mud? Okay, take in consideration that commentaries lump all three together as Spiritual Gifts. That helps, right? We have been taught for such a long time that there are "gifts" and "services" that this passage distorts are perception. Think of gifts, services (administrations), and activities (operations) as different dimensions of the same thing - to oversimplify: gifts (what), administrations (when), operations (how). I prefer the King James translation because it uses terms that work with my "administrator/organizer" mind.

Once again to oversimplify:
Gift: Service.
Administration: Saturday morning.
Operation: Vacuum the sanctuary.

I use this oversimplification just so that everyone can grasp the concept. It comes down to that God gives us all gifts, but we need to depend on His leading for timing and execution. This is a stretch, but I'd like to use Moses as an example. Moses was to lead/shepherd Israel out of bondage. Early on Moses had compassion on Israel (to say this was a "gift" is a stretch) but when Moses used his own timing and execution what happened? A dead Egyptian and forty years of exile. When Moses used God's timing and execution what happened? A nation was brought out of bondage and ushered into a rich and beautiful land promised to them by God Himself.

Lastly, we need to look at the reason for the gift. It is not to make you feel closer to God. It's not to exalt above others. It is for the benefit of the common good. Romans 15:1 and Galatians 5:13 come to mind. The gifts aren't for you, they are for the church - the body of Christ - other believers.

To answer the question, "what is my spiritual gift?", let me ask you a couple of questions. Are you led to do what you know is the right thing to do? Or do you immediately respond to needs, not because it will make you look good, but because it needs to be taken care of? Don't worry about labeling a spiritual gift for yourself; focus on obeying God when He tugs at your heart to act, whether or not it is in or out of your comfort zone.

DISCLAIMER: my simple explanation may have offended many of my more theologically minded friends. If you feel the need to correct me, please be godly about it - not looking for an argument, just trying for understanding of the scripture. I am well aware that the depth of gifts, administrations, and operations could have been expanded upon, but in my opinion it is suffice for this forum. PGB