“Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Yeshua accursed. And that no man can say that Yeshua is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. (1Corinthians 12:3).”
Now having been instructed in the previous article “MESSENGER” published July 2nd, 2018 on how we are authorized to go forward in Yeshua’s name. We see Paul relating in (1Corinthians 12:4) “Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same spirit.” There are various gifts, and various offices to perform, but all proceed from one God, one Lord, one Spirit; that is, from the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, the origin of all spiritual blessings.
In this article, we will find Paul cautioning “Modern Day Disciples the more significant the gifts are, the more the possessor is exposed to temptations, and the larger is the measure of grace needed to keep him humble and spiritual; and he will meet with more painful experiences and humbling dispensations. We should have little cause to glory in any gifts bestowed on us, or despise those who have them not.
OPENING PRAYER by Robert
Father in heaven as we bow before thy throne, hear our praise of your greatness. You know our service and pledges of dedication, as well as our weaknesses. Place in our hearts your wisdom and discernment for us to strengthen our commitment. Bring unto us your courage that we might face all of our fears, shortcomings, and temptations and place them before you Lord so they may be removed. We plead Father for you to set within us determination, integrity, and willing submission unto your will, to bring only honour to You Father before those we demonstrate as your modern-day disciples your love compassion, grace, and freedom unto eternal life. This we pray in your name Yeshua Amen and Amen.
OPENING STATEMENT by Robert
We see in 1Corinthians Paul hearing there were disorders among the saints who had received his teachings and spiritual gifts. As a result, of this report, we must heed and receive Paul’s cautions on what possibly could take place in the ranks of our “Modern Day Disciples.” Paul reveals how in Corinth some gross disorders had been introduced, partly from the interest some false teachers had obtained amongst them. These were able to take root because their old maxims and manners, had not been thoroughly purged out by the Assembly principles they entertained.
What was reported in Corinth was contempt, hatred, envy, and strife, which are very unnatural to Believers. It is like the members of the same body being without concern for one another or quarrelling with each other.
The Assembly, or whole collective body of Believers, in all ages, is His body. Every Believer is a member of His body, and every other Believer stands related to Him as a fellow member. (1Cor. 12:27). Thus are the members of the natural body, therefore, should the members of the mystical body be, disposed of.
So we can recognize Paul endeavoured to suppress the proud, vaunting, and contentious spirit which had prevailed among the Corinthians, because of their Spiritual Gifts.
As “Modern Day Disciples we must like Paul suppress and not allow the spirit of pride to contentiously prevail within the ranks because of Spiritual Gifts. The contentions mentioned above would enter the Assembly, and Spiritual gifts would thus be condemned. The offices and gifts or favours, dispensed by the Holy Spirit, as follows would be lost.
Chief ministers; persons enabled to interpret Scripture; those who laboured in word and doctrine; those who had power to heal diseases; such as helped the sick and weak; such as disposed of the money given in charity by the Believers, and managed the affairs of the Assembly; and such as could speak divers languages.
“What holds the last and lowest rank in this list, is the power to speak languages; how “vain,” if a man does so merely to amuse or to exalt himself!”
We recognize through Matthew Henry’s (1662 -1774) commentary how the distribution of these gifts, was not to everyone alike, This was to make the assembly all one as if the body were all ear or all eye. The Spirit distributes to everyone as he will. We must be content though we are lower and less than others. We must not despise others if we have greater gifts. How blessed the Assembly, if all the members did their duty! Instead of coveting the highest stations, or the most splendid gifts, let us leave the appointment of his instruments to God, and those in whom he works by his providence. (1 Corinthians 12:29, 1 Corinthians 12:30).
So, now it becomes clear why we learned how, and who becomes God’s messengers in the previous article “Messengers” published July 2, 2018. Knowing we must possess the Holiness of God in our hearts to proclaim Yeshua as the Son of God. Now, this comes to us as a precursor to understanding how the Holy Spirit distributes the gifts.
No man has them merely for himself. The more he profits others, the more will they turn to his own account. The gifts mentioned appear to mean exact understanding, and uttering the doctrines of the Assembly; the knowledge of mysteries and skill to give advice and counsel.
Also the gift of healing the sick, the working of miracles, and to explain Scripture by a peculiar gift of the Spirit, and ability to speak and interpret languages. If we have any knowledge of the truth, or any power to make it known, we must give all the glory to God.
Matthew Henry (1662 -1774) points out “God does, and we should. Value things according to their real worth: and the use of things is the best criterion of their real worth. Those are most valuable that best answer the highest purposes. Such were apostolical powers, compared with theirs who had only the gift of healing and miracles. What holds the last and lowest rank in this enumeration is the diversity of tongues.
It is by itself the most useless and insignificant of all gifts. Healing diseases, relieving the poor, helping the sick, have their use. But how vain a thing is it to speak languages, if a man does it merely to amuse or boast himself! This may indeed raise the admiration, but cannot promote the edification, of the hearers, nor do them any good.
And yet it is manifest in 1Corinthians Ch.14 that the Corinthians valued themselves exceedingly on this gift. “How proper a method it is to beat down pride to let persons know the actual value of what they pride themselves in! It is too familiar a thing for men to value themselves most on what is the least worth, and it is of great use to bring them to a sober mind by letting them know how much they are mistaken.
Paul gives us the following advice to covet the best gifts [charismata ta kreittona] either the most valuable in themselves or the most serviceable to others; and these are, in truth, most valuable in themselves, though men may be apt to esteem those most that will raise their fame and esteem highest. Those are genuinely best by which God will be most honoured, and his assembly edified. Such gifts should be most earnestly coveted.
We should desire that most which are best, and most worth. Grace is, therefore, to be preferred before gifts; and of gifts, those are to be preferred which are of most excellent use. But some read this passage, not as advice, but a charge: zeloute.
CLOSING PRAYER by Robert
“Oh,” gracious and all-knowing heavenly Father overlooking our lives and walk. We humbly bow before your throne in awe of your Gracious love for us. We thank you, Lord, for all which You have placed within our soul this day. We honour your gifts, Father, as Spiritual Tools which enhances our walk, brightens our light, deepens and increases the living water within. Father, we ask for your guidance wisdom and understanding of which spiritual gifts most suit our walk and devotion to You, so we might bring the maximum forward when applying it. This we pray in your name Yeshua Amen and Amen.
CLOSING COMMENTS by Robert
We have been shown a caution must be awakened within and heeded that we do not lose sight of what our walk is about. As “Modern Day Disciples” I believe our challenges are no different than those Yeshua taught to His disciples in His time. Sure we have progressed 2000+ years however mankind has really not changed the only changes I see is the style by which Satan holds souls in captivity.
What I see Paul offering, as teaching and caution is summed up in the following hints he left in Corinthians for us to discover and use as he did to quell those gifts which have become mischievous when they become the fuel of pride and contention. Always keep in mind as Paul pointed out those gifts which do the most damage to Satan’s work will for the Disciple using it will become a fervent target and there will be different forms of pain and temptations involved.
So Paul left us the following weapons to use when dealing with those temptations and the pain. These are the right things to use always remember there is a more excellent way to make your gifts effective namely, of charity, of mutual love, and good-will.
This will make your gifts turn to the advantage and edification of the Assembly. This will render all to be kind to each other, and concerned for each other, and therefore calm the spirits, and put an end to little piques, contests, and dispute about precedence.
True charity is greatly to be preferred to the most glorious gifts. To have the heart grow with mutual love is vastly better than to glare with the most pompous titles, offices, or powers.
Please remember these articles are the work of a humble servant of Yeshua doing HIs bidding as a Watchmen sounding the Trumpet to warn of impending danger within the Assembly. May our Father abundantly bless each one of you with wisdom and discernment to go forward as “Modern Day Disciples”
Thou will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee, Trust ye in the Lord forever: for in the Lord Yeshua is everlasting strength. (Isaiah 26:3-4)
Robert
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