1 Corinthians 12:7: “To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.”
I have been thinking recently about the abundant grace of God and how He has shown me time and time again His grace and mercy. It is one of God’s gifts that helps us understand who God truly is. So often I am surprised at being a receiver of God’s grace as I reflect upon my day. God remains faithful despite my wrong choices and shortcomings. He forgives and loves me unconditionally due to His grace and compassion, as He is working things out in my life to show others who God is and is doing the same for you.
Ephesians 12:7 states: “But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.” Then Paul tells the Corinthians when they gathered together in fellowship each one has a song God has spoken to them through, a lesson God has taught them, an insight God has given them through His Word and is to be shared with one another. This is to remind the group that God is at work. My brother and sister-in-law, Jim and Rochelle, and I love to share with one another a song that God has spoken to us about – has touched our soul. The most recent one we shared with each other in a text message, was Mercy Me’s the new song they sang at the recent Dove Awards, “We Are Almost Home.” The words of this song speak to anyone who has met disappointment and believe you don’t have what it takes. It is a reminder to keep pressing on because we “are almost home” which is Heaven.
Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 12 that we all have been given spiritual gifts – and these can be defined as “Gracious endowments, leading to miraculous results . . . these all came by the extraordinary influences of the Holy Spirit.” David Guzik. These spiritual gifts are always meant to be used to point others to Jesus Christ and promote the true Jesus (Romans 12:6-8). But did you realize that your particular spiritual gift(s) God wants you to use not only at church but if you are still working – in your workplace? Since the Holy Spirit is always present with believers, He wants the light within you to shine for Him through your leadership skills, encouragement skills, understanding application of knowledge from God found in His Word, giving you supernatural insight and higher wisdom in handling work conflicts, or to solve a problem. Are you blessed by having the gift of faith? We all must have faith, but the gift of faith is the unique ability to trust God against all circumstances, just like Peter did when he got out of the boat and walked on water.
Do you need to refocus and reflect on what God is giving you to do that shows who God is?
Are your what ifs holding you back? Take courage, your Heavenly Father is cheering you on!
The spiritual gift God gave you He intended it to be used “for the common good.” Ask God to make you of benefit – to make it good. God has made you to be significant and to show who God is through your transformed life due to His grace.
Listen to MercyMe’s Almost Home New Song YouTube.