Jan 23 – Perfect Gifts!

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights…” (James 1:17)

Our Lord Jesus Christ has in store the gifts of the Holy Spirit, just for His children. And He expects that you be perfected in the gifts of the Spirit, through your prayers and by faith.

You may have questions in your mind whether the Lord will grant me also with those gifts and am I even worthy of such gifts. But the Scripture tells us clearly that: “You have received gifts among men, Even from the rebellious, That the Lord God might dwell there” (Psalm 68:18). The Scripture also tells us that: “He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men” (Ephesians 4:8).

In Old Testament times, gifts of the Holy Spirit were very rare. But in the times of New Testament, when the disciples gathered together and waited in prayer in the upper room, the Holy Spirit descended upon them mightily. And every one of them received the gifts of the Spirit. “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:4).

It is through the gifts of the Spirit, that you prove to the world that our Lord is a living God. And you are able to subject gentiles to the Gospel of Christ, through that mighty power. You are able to discern the future and perform miracles through those gifts.

Apostle Paul says: “Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts“ (1 Corinthians 14:1). Many who have not received these gifts, falsely teach others that these gifts are not really necessary and that these gifts are short-lived. Even today many neither believe, nor have faith in the gifts. Nor do they have a proper understanding about these gifts.

In the first book of Corinthians, we read about the nine kinds of gifts of the Spirit, namely word of wisdom through the Spirit, word of knowledge, faith, gifts of healings, working of miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, different kinds of tongues, and interpretation of tongues. (1 Corinthians 12:8-10). All these gifts are kept in store only for you.

Just like there are nine gifts of the Spirit, there are also nine fruits of the Spirit. These are love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23).

The fruits of the Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit should be found in parallel. Many persons, even though they are bestowed with the gifts of the Spirit, fall into pride and arrogance, as they do not have the fruits of the Spirit. Children of God, obtain the fruits along with the gifts of the Spirit, and glorify God.

Verse for further meditation: “Let my beloved come to his garden And eat its pleasant fruits” (Song of Solomon 4:16)