9/6/12
S: 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, 15-20, 27-31 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.
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Now if the foot should say, ‘Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,’ it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. And if the ear should say, ‘Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,’ it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
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Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? 31 Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.
O: There is a lot of legitimate diversity in the church. We have different gifts, but we are part of the same body. It's not right to denigrate anyone else because they don't have the same gifts, and it is not right to insist that everyone must have the same gifts.
One of the things that have been of contention between Christians in the last century is the issue of speaking in tongues. Some groups insist that all must (or at least should speak in tongues. Other groups forbid tongues and other supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit, by applying a misinterpretation of 1 Corinthians 13:10. But 1 Corinthians 14:39 clearly says that's wrong.
A: We must hold a balance in the diversity of gifts, and continue to fellowship with brothers & sisters in Christ who have different gifts, and even different beliefs in secondary matters from us. (Regarding different beliefs in secondary matters, see Romans 14.)
P: Father, help us to hold a Biblical balance and to love one another. In Jesus' name, amen.
Note: this is using the SOAP method. For more information, see this page (not written by me.)
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