1 Corinthians 12:1—13:13
The Forgotten Person of the Trinity (Series)
Unity: 1 Corinthians 12:1-13 (4-7 & 11) 4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. 7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.
The church was grieving the Holy Spirit. They were proud and used their spiritual gifts to build themselves up. The Holy Spirit is in charge of who gets which gifts, when, and for what purpose.
Diversity: 1 Corinthians 12:14-31 (18-19 & 26) 18 But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
All the parts of the body need to work together, each doing its part. Unity without diversity would produce uniformity, and that leads to death. How are you building up or discouraging the church?
Maturity: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
Some people try to magnify the “sensational” gifts. Others feel guilty because they have gifts that don’t put them in the spotlight. It’s maturity that balances unity and diversity. What is spiritual maturity according to scripture? LOVE!
Spiritual maturity isn’t about acquiring knowledge. Someone who is mature in their faith enjoys using their God given gifts to build others up. Selfishness tears down, love serves and sacrifices. Is there any selfishness or pride in your life?
