The Trinity & Spiritual Gifts: Holy Spirit
The most desirable and valuable gemstone is a diamond. Throughout history a diamond has been seen as beautiful, desirable, and precious.
A diamond is a single unit with many facets. Each facet is a reflection of the diamond as a whole. Without these facets, a diamond would be like glass, clear and boring. The fire and brilliance of a diamond comes from its reflection of light. When light shines on a diamond, it sparkles and displays many beautiful colors.
The Holy Spirit is like a diamond. The Spirit is the diamond; the spiritual gifts are the facets. The Holy Spirit, like a diamond, is one unit with many facets. Each spiritual gift is a reflection of the Holy Spirit as a whole. When the Light of the World radiates through spiritual gifts, they manifest the fire and brilliance of the Holy Spirit. Like a diamond, the Spirit is beautiful, desirable, and precious.
The Bible defines spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 12:7. Now to each [believer] the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. A spiritual gift is a manifestation of the Spirit. A manifestation is an expression or appearance of someone. A spiritual gift is the expression or appearance of the Holy Spirit. In fact, the Holy Spirit Himself is the spiritual gift.
The Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Trinity. His role in spiritual gifts is vital. Without the Spirit living within us, there would be no spiritual 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.
