Service, Three in One

Scripture: 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. 1 Corinthians 12:4-6

Observation: While this chapter is one of the best dissertations on 'spiritual gifts' AND how those gifts then fit into the Church (the body of Christ), these three verses are very clear about the nature of gifts, service, and work.

-- Gifts are of the Spirit, indwelt in believers.
-- Service is what our Lord Jesus told us to do as believers.
-- Work is the unique purpose God has created us for on earth, glorifying him.

Application: I have been often taught that there is a difference between all of these. Specifically, I have been told that spiritual gifts are special talents we are given that are a result of the Holy Spirit, that service or ministry is the work of the church and I should be able to apply my gifts in that work, and meanwhile I have a personal purpose designed by God that encompasses my entire life. However, this is the first time I have ever seen a direct alignment between these three "types" of service, and the three forms of Yahweh.

And I think this matters in how we serve and work here on earth. For one thing, there is therefore a distinction between whatever work and/or service we are called to, and our spiritual gifting. Our gifts are indeed given to us by God to help in our purpose, but the "cause and effect" is likely that we have our call, and our gifts help us ... not figuring out our gifts and then finding work that needs them.

In addition, this model continues to emphasize the importance of the work Jesus gives us personally. That work is through and with the church, in other words it is work we do as believers and as a direct and explicit expression of our faith in Jesus as Lord and savior. That service delineates us from people who "believe in God" but not Jesus ... be they Muslims, Jews, or others with some kind of general spirituality in an unknown deity.

I must be doing God's work every day in my life ... and I must be performing service under the teachings of Jesus as part of his body of believers ... while the Holy Spirit uniquely gifts me to do that work.

Prayer: Lord, I do continue to strive to understand my place in your body of believers, and my purpose for doing your work. I will start to care a LOT less about my "gifting", and a lot more about where you may be calling to act.