Called To The Common Good

The Corinthians in this lesson, have begun to take advantage of their God given gifts. Instead of taking their respective gifts, and helping each other out. They are using their spirit endowed gifts to compete with each other. I wonder did the Corinthian people recognize what we now call the "crab mentality"? Paul teaches Christians that everyone is a individual, in their service to the body of Christ. We are all designed, to glorify Jesus Christ in one way or another. Whatever God has blessed you with. Make it do, what it do.

1 Corinthians 12
1Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.

2Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.

3Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.

Before the gospel of Jesus Christ. You as Gentiles were left out, of the equation. If you weren't a direct descendant of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The race of people we now refer to as Jews. The original covenant wasn't made with you. It was made with them. You were worshipping Idols, and didn't have a clue. Then Jesus came and walked the earth, and was crucified for everyone's sins. Now the blessings are promised to everyone. Now that you have come into the faith. Don't try and rewrite the script. Any new found wisdom that you possess. Is a gift of the holy spirit. Not of your own doing. Anyone exhibiting gifts of discernment, healing, prophesy and other gifts given by God. Are priviledged to be exposed to the same knowledge as everyone else. God is no respecter of persons. All that know the truth, accept Jesus as lord. As revealed to them by the holy spirit.


Passage 1 Corinthians 12:4-11:

4Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

5And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.

6And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.

7But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

8For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;

9To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;

10To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

11But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.


Everyone is good at something different. Some people can speak, others can sing. Some have the gift of prophesy and some discernment. While others offer encouragement, or consolation. Regardless what you do best, it should be to upbuild the kingdom. Not to glorify yourself, or your abilities. Within the different denominations, you will find different modes of organization. Different denominations are set up for different beliefs and dislikes. You can find another group of believers, that thinks just like you. Some people speak in tongues, others have the gift of interpretation. Week before last we learned not to let our preferences, be a stumblingblock to others. If it's not of God, it doesn't really matter. I have developed a system to detect the spirit, that always works on my behalf. What's from the heart, reaches the heart. Even if you don't agree, you connect on some level. Whatever your point of view. It should be focused toward the same point. We all have our own piece of the puzzle. It is our job as Christians, to find out where it fits.


Passage 1 Corinthians 12:12-13:

12For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

13For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into e one Spirit.

We all are the same, and there are many believers. Though sometimes it doesn't seem like it, we are not outnumbered. There are more good people than bad. We are all baptized by the same spirit. In bibical days you were one or the other. You were Gentile, or you were Jew. You were a master, or you were a servant. Today we have sectioned off into various identifiable races. In spite of the past or present situations. Don't believe the hype. We are all the same in Christ.