The gifts and the fruits of the Spirit

Let us first read about the gifts of the Spirit.   1 Corinthians 12:4-11 reads “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them.  There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.  There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.  Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.  To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.  All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.”  The nine spiritual gifts can be categorized under two major spiritual gifts.  The gift of truth, can also be referred to as the gift of knowing, given by the Spirit of truth (the Holy Spirit).  The other is the gift of faith which beautifully displays God’s power.  The gift of truth are the gift of wisdom, knowledge, prophecy, distinguishing between spirits, speaking in tongues, and interpretation of tongues for truth is revealed in every one of these gifts.  The gift of faith is first of all faith, then healing and miracles for faith is needed in every one of these gifts.  From these two major spiritual gifts, God gives them as He pleases, in the quantity He wants to give and in the area that He wants to give.   Let us not be foolish and think that these gifts come from anywhere else, James 1:17 reads “every good and perfect gift is from above…”  He gives them for the soul purpose of doing good in His name, for His glory, uplifting the body of Christ (the people) and a sign to believers and unbelievers.  However, receiving the gift of the Spirit is not a sure sign of our salvation for Jesus says in Matthew 7:21-23 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, ’Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’  Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you.  Away from me, you evildoers!’  (In other versions it might say ‘away from me you who break God’s laws.’)   Let us quickly examine this scripture.  Jesus is basically telling us it is great they have shared the gifts that were given to them, however  they have neglected what was more important “God’s will.”  So, what is God’s will?  Jesus says in John 6:40 “For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”  The proper translation for this scripture according to the message of the gospel that is written in the New Testament is this;  Anyone who looks up to Jesus, surrendered their lives to him, believes in him and in his word, follows him and his word  in everything  (in every area of his/her life) with humility and understanding will be saved.  In addition, God’s laws are exactly what Jesus came to teach us; not rules but more so the matter of the heart.  God’s laws are His commandments, however His commandments are not a list of rules as some may think.  Although a list is given, it is for our own benefit so that we may not be lost in our own path.   His commandments points to our heart.  His commandments are God’s word speaking to our heart in order that we may examine our heart and see where sin has creeped in and be convicted by his word through the Holy Spirit.  Jesus answers a question in Matthew 22:36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?  Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.  All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”  If these two commandments are truly in your heart then your response will be undeniable and it will be evident in your life.   Again Jesus refers to the day that is coming in Matthew 25:31-46 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne.  All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.  He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.  “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.  For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’  “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?  When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?  “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’  Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.  For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’  “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’  “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’  “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”  So you see, as great as it may be to have received spiritual gifts, one must not forget what matters most.  We are told in 1 Corinthians 12:31, 13:1-3  “Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.  And yet I will show you the most excellent way ( In other vesions it may say ‘But now let me show you a way of life that is best of all).  If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.  If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.  If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.  Spiritual gifts are great gifts but one must first strive to receive the fruits of the Spirit.  The fruits of the Spirit is listed in Galatians 5:22-26  “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Against such things there is no law.  Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.  Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep with the Spirit.  Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.   In conclusion, blessed are all who share their spiritual gifts in the body of Christ for the glory of God and for the good of His people.  Many more blessings to those whose heart belongs to the Lord, and has allowed his/her heart to be circumcised (spiritually speaking), and transformed by the Holy Spirit, for such a heart is like a precious jewel in God’s eyes.  As you know, we were saved by faith to live in faith.  Similarly, we were called by love to live in love.  What is love?  Let us read 1 Corinthians 13:4-8,13  “Love is patient, love is kind.  It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  Love never fails….And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.  But the greatest of these is love.  Blessings to you all!!!