By Michael W. Gardner
If
someone was given super powers today, like Superman, how long do you think
it would take for that person to develop an attitude?
We consider this often in film and book. There is always the same conclusion. It is said, “Absolute power corrupts absolutely”.
This may be true of man. Consider
then, how a Christian that thinks he has special knowledge or
understanding can develop an attitude of superiority and consider how
wrong that is, especially if that knowledge or gift is attributed to God.
However, in 1 Corinthians chapter 12 that is what has happened. Paul’s discussion of spiritual gifts is actually three
chapters long. 1 Corinthian
12, 13 and 14 provide us with a thorough analysis of spiritual gifts,
their purpose and their importance.
There
is diversity in the gifts but there is diversity in the Church and outside
the Church. We each have our
own strengths and weaknesses. This
is not a new thought. The Bible makes it clear that we each will be held
accountable for what we do with what we are given, not by the size of the
gifts. The parable of the
talent makes the point that it is not whether we are given one or five
talents we must use what we have and be satisfied within our selves that
we have done our best. The
point Paul is making here is that the diversity should not divide us but
it should be an instrument of unity and we should be happy for the Church
when other members use their talents for Christ.
Paul
uses the analogy of the body and body members to illustrate how it all
fits together. We may not all
be the most glorious parts of the body but we are part of the body and
have an important place. We
have to work for the glory of the body because we are a part of it and
what affects the body effects the body parts.
In the
final pat of 1 Corinthian 12 he gives the Corinthians what they probably
asked for. They wanted to
know which was more important. They
meant which of the people with gifts were to be given more honor but Paul
changes it and lists the order of importance to the Church of those
working in the Church (1 Corinthian
12:28).
Notice that it was God that set the order but Paul does say that it
is okay to strive for the better gifts.
Why not? As good
stewards we would want to do the best we can for the Lord.
I don’t, however, think this was the motivation of the
Corinthians. Paul
concludes this thought with consideration of a better way.
So consider “Better than what?”
Then it
goes into Chapter 13 and a discussion of love. In fact it is called the love chapter of the Bible.
So what happened to the discussion we were about spiritual gifts?
The answer is nothing happened and chapter 13 is a continuation of
that discussion. Chapter 12
is probably in response to someone’s communication concerning Christians
with spiritual gifts. Paul’s
answer is to try and get the Christians to understand how they all fit
together, not only the gifts but how these gifts were used.
So the better than what is a way to serve God more pleasing and
powerful than using supernatural gifts.
Paul
has just told the Corinthians that he is about to tell them of a better
way of serving and worshiping God than the use of spiritual gifts.
What is this way? In verses 1 through 7 of chapter 13 he talks about doing good
things and how hollow and worthless these are without the right attitude,
that is, an attitude of love or charity.
Later, in chapter 14 he will discuss how he would rather speak five
words of his own than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.
Our motivation comes from the Bible and we do righteous things
because the Bible commands it. The better way that Paul spoke of was doing the things we are
commanded to do and enjoying doing it.
If we do the things commanded of us and enjoy it we do not change
the fact that we are doing it because the Bible commands it but by
enjoying righteousness we have something special.
After
all, this makes more sense when you consider that what is being talked
about here, Spiritual Gifts, is temporary and will pass away when it is no
longer needed. When something
is finished or becomes perfect then the thing that is no longer needed
will end. This makes perfect
sense. He then illustrates
this by using the growing body analogy.
Things we did as a child we no longer need to do when we are
complete, perfect or grown up. As
an adult we do not need to explore our world we have an understanding
sufficient to deal with it. Now
he goes back to his original consideration and says “faith, hope,
charity” these Christian attributes remain.
He does not mention a single spiritual gift as he has already said
these will stop. Further, we
know that of these Christian attributes the greatest is the desire to do
what is right, for others, because we want to and because we have love.
Love of doing right is greater that the substance of things hoped
for and stronger than the evidence of things not seen.
However, he is not through with the thought yet.
His argument here seems to indicate that those in Corinthian have given the speaking of languages the most important place and have sought after it the most. Paul doesn’t mind them striving after gifts but tries to steer them to a better gift. The gift of knowing what God wanted during a time when the Bible does not exist, at least the New Testament did not exist yet. Knowing what God wants is better than being able to speak in a language, which no one in the audience could understand. In verse 9 he points out that language is no good if no one understands what you are saying, even language that if understood would disclose the will of God to the listener. Then, through verse 25 Paul lays down rules for the use of tongues that are designed to keep things decent and in order.
At the
end of chapter 14 he again addresses a women’s role in the church but
here I think he was doing so in conjunction with the spiritual gifts the
women had. He is making it
clear that this discussion has not changed the role of women.
Repeating it also emphasizes how important it is that we observe
the propriety of our roles. So
teaching is better than languages but if you have talents use them for the
good of the Church. Just keep
in mind, “Let all things be done decently and in order.”
No attitudes or displays of superiority. No exclusive choirs because one can sing better than another.
No robes or a uniform that say one is more pious than another.
So
in conclusion, God is demonstrating that he is a God of order and
simplicity. Christ started
the Kingdom/Church on the Day of Pentecost soon after his ascension and
when the Church started the thing (the Bible) that we need to make us
perfect did not exist (2 Timothy
3:16-17).
So he gave out spiritual gifts that let the Christians know what
God wanted them to do. They
were never meant to be permanent as he points out in 1 Corinthian
13:8 when
he says they will cease. Why? Because the reason they were given to us no longer exists.
If you believe that miraculous spiritual gifts exist today then
explain why they would? They
serve no purpose. The
scripture I just referred to says that when it says that scripture is
sufficient to make us perfect. If
we are perfect does speaking in tounges today make us more perfect? That would not be consistent with what God has revealed about
himself in the Bible. So
don’t waste time in your life listening to people that claim to be more
than perfect. Don’t waste
you life thinking that if you could just have this gift it would somehow
confirm that we have the favor of God.
It just doesn’t work that way.
It
is faith, hope and love. “Now faith is the
substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews
11:1) “For
whatever things were written before were written for our learning, so that
we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.” (Romans
15:4) Greater than
these those is love.
Did
spiritual gifts exist? Yes,
and they were ordained by God. Spiritual
gifts had a purpose and they served their purpose and then they ceased. We don’t need them because we have something perfect.
What is perfect is and has the ability to make us perfect is the
scriptures of the Holy Bible. How does it make us perfect?
We are made perfect through study and obedience.
Spiritual gifts are just no longer important.