“Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.” – 1 Corinthians 14:1 [NKJV]
Every child born into a royal family has inherent rights and privileges. They can choose to embrace them or dismiss them, but these privileges are a result of their birth. This can be likened to the believer in Christ; you have gifts, rights and benefits accruing from your nature in Christ. The Spirit of God enables us to manifest the gifts of the Spirit. However, to walk in them depends on how we receive them.
Our anchor text today is an instruction to pursue love and desire spiritual gifts. The first key to receiving spiritual gifts is being born again. The Holy Spirit dwells in us after we have believed and He is the source through which we manifest each gift (1 Corinthians 12:4).
The next step is to have a desire or an expectation. Earlier on in 1 Corinthians 12:7, Apostle Paul clearly stated that the manifestation of the Spirit is for all believers. But he also instructed in the 31st verse, that the believer has to earnestly covet these gifts. Having the desire in your heart is so powerful and important. Your expectation positions you to receive from God.
In addition to desire is to have faith. In James 1:5-8; there is a strong emphasis on how to receive from God. The believer can either be double-minded or full of faith. The man who is full of faith is the man who fully trusts God’s word and does not doubt God’s ability. If God’s word says spiritual gifts are for all believers, the man who is full of faith does not see himself as the exception or disqualify himself. So, take God by His word and believe that you will also receive the manifestation of these gifts.
Finally, spiritual gifts can be imparted by God’s ministers. We see this emphasized by Paul to Timothy in 2 Timothy 1:6. This indicates that our spiritual authorities could be vessels through which we receive spiritual gifts. However, one way to miss out on this form of impartation is dishonour. Jesus could not do many mighty works in His hometown because of their unbelief in His ministry (Mark 6:1-6;). The problem was that their dishonour limited them from receiving the things of God.
Dear believer, to receive these gifts; you need to have the desire, be full of faith (do not doubt God’s ability to fulfil His word), and honour God’s ministers. Do not forget this; the gifts of the Spirit are for every believer. And God’s Spirit in you is proof that you can walk in the manifestations of these gifts.
Bible Reading Plan: Deuteronomy 31-32; Acts 21:22-40