ListenDaily - 19 January 2009; For your own good...?

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Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.
To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom,
to another the 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 gives them to each one, just as he determines. 1 Corinthians 12:7-11

(find these or any other passages at www.Biblegateway.org)

Interesting to note, the Greek word for 'gifts' as used in this passage, is 'charismata', from which we have derived the term 'charismatic'.

Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.

An understanding of this one phrase is vital.

Now to each one...tells us that each person, personally and individually, to include you and I, is given...


...the manifestation of the Spirit...a 'mainifestation' is a " a perceptible, outward, or visible expression"(Miriam-Webster). So then, this would be an outward expression of the Holy Spirit.

...for the common good... There was, in the church of Corinth, a group who raised 'speaking in tongues' above all other gifts, and who used the gift to elevate themselves. But this truth transcends the context, the gifts of the Spirit are always for the good of the Body.

And so this verse; "Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good", can be read; "Every person is given a personal, visible expression of God's Holy Spirit for the good of the church."

Every person.

Personal, visible expression.

For the good of the church.

Amen!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What do you think of this perspective?
2. How do you see the Spirit manifested in your life?
3. If you do not, what steps might you take in order to see the Spirit's gift for you?


INTERESTING THOUGHT:
"A church in the land without the Spirit is rather a curse than a blessing.
If you have not the Spirit of God, Christian worker,
remember that you stand in somebody else's way;
you are a fruitless tree standing where a fruitful tree might grow."
Charles Spurgeon