Now you are the body of Christ and each one of you is a part of it. 1 Cor 12:27
Paul introduces chapter 12 on the subject of spiritual gifts, about which he doesn’t want the Corinthian Church, or us, to be ignorant(usually means something is out of order). The basic test to identify the spirit behind anything, is what is being said about Jesus! Cursing Jesus is not from the Spirit of God and no-one can say ‘Jesus is Lord’ except by the Holy Spirit.
V7 Now to each one the manifestation(dancing finger of God) of the Spirit is given for the common good(for the good of the whole body).
Paul goes on to list the 9 Gifts of the Spirit; 3 spoken gifts prophecy, tongues and interpretation; 3 revelatory gifts word or message of wisdom, knowledge and distinguishing between spirits; 3 power gifts faith, healings and miracles. Paul reminds us all these gifts come from ‘the same/one Spirit’, only one source. It’s significant that there are also 9 Fruits of the Spirit listed in Gal 5:22.
V 12 The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ.
We are all one in Christ, just as there’s one single body. We are all different but we’re meant to function together as one. Christianity unlike other religions embraces diversity and indeed thrives on the variety God has put within us and in His whole creation. We shouldn’t try to be what others are in the body, we need to find where we fit and what works for us. This is very important, God has a specific calling for each one of us and there are no clones in Christ, who alone is Head! The Corinthian Church was recognised as a charismatic church(operating in Spiritual gifts) but Paul was telling them that they all needed one another. The spirit of competition, so prevalent in the world, should never be present in Christ’s Body.
V31 But eagerly(or you are eagerly) desire the greater gifts.
Paul encouraged them to desire spiritual gifts. To young believers I would say TRY TO BE AROUND THOSE WHO ARE MOVING IN THE GIFTINGS/AREAS WHICH EXCITE AND BLESS YOU. We learn by being around people who are doing what we want to do, by association. That’s how you’ll grow and develop in that area, but remember that the way it works out in you will be unique to your calling in Christ.
God bless and keep you today and every day.