“To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.” 1 Corinthians 12:8-11
I know many who follow The Road of Faith have 1 Corinthians 12 gifts. Those of prophecy, healing, praying in tongues, discernment of spirits and more. Those of us in whom these gifts are not evident may ask, “what about me?”
First off, we must all know that God gave each of His children who believe the greatest gift ever imaginable – His Son, Jesus Christ. The love and mercy of God the Father through the words and actions of Jesus are by far the greatest gift any individual can receive – this single gift is more than all other gifts combined and multiplied.
If you’re like me, you don’t seem to have many of any of the gifts St. Paul writes about in 1 Corinthians 12. Does that mean you’re forgotten or not important in God’s plans? ABSOLUTELY NOT! You are individually one of the most important pieces in God’s plan.
Through the Holy Spirit, God the Father pours out multitudes of gifts upon all His children. Hidden, snuggled deep within 1 Corinthians 9 is the most important Gift of the Holy Spirit – Faith. Faith enables us to do some incredible and miraculous things in God’s Name yet it seems often to be sublimely hidden within and under all the more fancy gifts. Faith is the foundation of all God gives to us whether it is one of the nice ‘Corinthian’ gifts or the great gift of His love and Divine Mercy.
Without faith, we can not see God. Without faith, we can not ask for mercy. Without faith, how can we even call ourselves Christian? To all, God gives His gifts. To some it may be praying in tongues or laying on healing hands. But, to all He gives a measure of faith. Draw upon and kindle that mustard seed of Faith so it may grow to move mountains. Faith opens the door to endless possibilities in God.
“To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” 1 Corinthians 12:7
“Jesus said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.”” John 14:12-14
Have faith! Nurture it!