Verses on Purpose: 1 Corinthians 12:1
“Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant.”
Some “verses on purpose” enlighten; others give guidance. But a few, like 1 Corinthians 12:1, issue a command.
Paul states that believers need to know about spiritual gifts. Clearly, they are important to the Church. It is vital for you to know your spiritual gifts!
In a 2009 study conducted by George Barna almost three-quarters (74%) of born-again Christians had heard of spiritual gifts. Unfortunately, many of them named such “gifts” as “a sense of humor, singing, health, life, happiness, patience, a job, a house, compromise, premonition, creativity, and clairvoyance.
In my experience, few churches emphasize spiritual gifts; some don’t teach about them at all. These churches suffer as a result. Spiritual gifts are God’s design to build up the Church. Through gifts the Church becomes more united, mature, and Christ-like. Believers serve one another through their gifts.
If you don’t know your gift, you’re missing out on a Great Adventure. And your spiritual gifts are a major part of your unique purpose on earth.
If you don’t know about gifts, learn about them! I suggest reading Henry Blackaby’s book “What’s So Spiritual about Your Gifts?” Or you can read about each individual gift in past postings in this blog. If you know about gifts, but don’t know yours, start serving and notice where God works through you. If you know your gifts – USE THEM! All believers are accountable to God for the use of their gifts.
Dr. Steve Lake is a retired educator with over 30 years experience in the American public schools. He has served in a variety of position, including teacher, elementary school principal, junior high principal, Associate Superintendent, retired from public education as Superintendent of Schools in Lincolnwood, IL. He has his Bachelors, Masters and Doctor of Education degrees from Northern Illinois University. For the past 25 years Steve has attended and been a member of Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington and Northfield, IL. At Willow Creek Steve has taught adult classes on spiritual gifts, life purpose, and spiritual disciplines. He has ministered overseas in Angola, Zambia, Honduras, Germany, and Russia. Steve is co-founder of Designed to Serve, a ministry that equips Christians to live out their unique God-given calling. Steve is married and has two adult children who are married.
