1 Cor. 12:7 – But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:
The Baptism in the Holy Spirit opens us up to a whole new spiritual world filled with power and revelation intended by the Lord to bring encouragement, comfort, and edification to the Body of Christ. In in chapters 12-14 in Paul’s first letter to the church in Corinth he gives an extensive teaching on the gifts of the Holy Spirit that become operational when one is baptized in the Spirit. Today’s verse shows us that the gifts of the Spirit are intended to be operating in every Christian’s life, the diversity of the members of the body and the diversity of the gifts of the Spirit are needed to have a healthy and an operational church. Here is how the Spirit Filled Life Bible describes the interdependence we have on one another’s gifts in the church.
“Independence says, I can do it myself; interdependence says, I cannot do it alone; we need each other. The goal of interdependence in the church (and among churches) is to reflect the unity of the body of Christ in the midst of its diversity. God has gifted different parts of the body, including different congregations with specific missions, to build up the whole. As the body functions in the way God intends, He uses it to draw alienated people of varied circumstances to the good news of Jesus Christ.
Interdependence is difficult to develop in a culture that insists on its own way and rights, but to minister reconciliation we must learn it. In interdependent living, we learn to appreciate the uniqueness of the other and to need what the other is bringing to the relationship. See this reciprocal equality as described in 2 Corinthians 8:12–14, where one’s abundance supplies what the other lacks, leading to a mutual benefiting of each other as interdependence supplies different needs, balancing the whole.”
I believe the world today is searching for authenticity and authority because of the unpredictable and unstable nature of our society. The gifts of the Spirit cut through the fog of unbelief and secular opinions to bring people in touch with the power and the reality of God. The prayer language opens the door for the nine gifts of the Spirit to begin to flow. These gifts bring revelation and also deliverance from the bondages of this life. The return of these gifts to the church is imperative to touch our world. I am not talking about the gifts flowing through ministers or Christian leaders but as today’s verse says, “the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all”.
