Spiritual Gifts
The Biblical Mandate for Active Participation
By Dr. Tim Hamon
In the harmonious choir of faith, every believer is granted spiritual gifts, echoing with divine resonance. These gifts, endowed by the Holy Spirit, serve as powerful tools for the building of the Church and the expansion of God’s Kingdom. Like unique notes in a symphony, each spiritual gift is essential to the melody of God’s work in the world. Yet, believers often find themselves divided over how these gifts should be understood and employed.
Two Views but all active.
These gifts, tools with which every believer can participate in God’s divine plan, are viewed differently across Christian traditions. Yet, regardless of one’s perspective on the nature of these gifts – be it the Constitutional View or the Sovereign View – the Scriptures echo a consistent refrain: Every believer is called to be active in employing their spiritual gifts.
The Constitutional View perceives spiritual gifts as a divine arsenal, accessible to all believers because of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The idea here is akin to Paul’s exhortation in 1 Corinthians 12:7, “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” This perspective invites you to emulate the dynamism of the Holy Spirit, using whichever gift is required in response to God’s voice and the needs of your faith community.
Contrastingly, the Sovereign View suggests that the Holy Spirit bestows specific spiritual gifts upon individuals. As expressed in 1 Corinthians 12:11, “All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.” This view posits that these individually-tailored gifts, meant to be nurtured and used throughout one’s life, contribute to the diverse functionality of the body of Christ, as depicted in Romans 12:4-6.
Action is the Key
While these differences can lead to lively discussions, what remains clear in Scripture is the mandate for every believer to actively participate in the Body of Christ using their spiritual gifts. In Romans 12:6-8, the Apostle Paul emphasizes that we have different gifts, each to be used diligently and faithfully according to God’s grace. He also reminds in 1 Peter 4:10, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” The Scriptures are unequivocal in urging believers to actively use their spiritual gifts “for the common good” (1 Corinthians 12:7). The injunction is clear: All believers, irrespective of the nature or number of their spiritual gifts, are called to use them in service to others.
In the din of differing views, it’s crucial to keep our focus clear. God speaks through each of us, in manifold ways, equipping us with the spiritual gifts necessary to fulfill His will. We should embrace this divine diversity in unity, pursuing love as the greatest gift (1 Corinthians 13:1-3) and striving to “Hear God’s Voice” as we navigate the melodious symphony of spiritual gifts.
It is in the joyful acceptance and active use of our spiritual gifts that we allow the voice of God to reverberate through our lives, touching others, and echoing in eternity. Regardless of our perspectives, we are all part of the same Body, called to serve the same Lord, and empowered by the same Spirit, in an abundance of expressions and services.
So, whether you find yourself aligning with the Constitutional or Sovereign view, the pivotal takeaway is not to bury your spiritual gifts. It is not for us to decide when, where, and how the Holy Spirit will manifest these gifts, but it is our responsibility to utilize them actively in service of God’s Kingdom. Each of us has a role to play in God’s grand narrative, a note to contribute to His symphony. Let us, therefore, make a joyful noise, using our spiritual gifts to their fullest potential, and in doing so, truly Hear God’s Voice.
Special thanks to Ruth Pearce for writing and editing support.