The first thing to understand, after that, is that there are diversities of gifts. In I Corinthians 12 Paul lists nine different gifts. Yet this is not a complete or exhaustive list; toward the end of the chapter Paul also mentions the gifts of helps and governments, and in Romans 12 he again adds to the list. Paul says there are different gifts, yet only one Spirit. It is the same Spirit who distributes all of the gifts as He wills. These gifts complement each other; they do not compete with each other. Second, there are differences of ministries. Some have the gift of apostleship, some the gift of prophets, some the gift of pastor-teachers. Others have the gift of government or the gift of helps. Some have the gift of exhortation, an important and valuable gift. My wife has this gift. After she speaks to and exhorts various groups, they're ready to go out and challenge the world. These are all different gifts of administration, but the same Lord directs them all. Though we may serve Him in different ways, we serve the same Lord. Third, there are diversities of operations. I know how certain gifts operate in my life, but it doesn't follow that they will operate in the same way in your life. They might, but not necessarily. Why not? Because there are diversities of operations. The Spirit works differently in our lives, according to our own unique personalities and idiosyncrasies. Surely if you're a parent you've discovered that none of your children are exactly alike. Each one has a unique and distinct personality. Or, if you have 14 grandkids,
The first thing to understand, after that, is that there are diversities of gifts. In I Corinthians 12 Paul lists nine different gifts. Yet this is not a complete or exhaustive list; toward the end of the chapter Paul also mentions the gifts of helps and governments, and in Romans 12 he again adds to the list. Paul says there are different gifts, yet only one Spirit. It is the same Spirit who distributes all of the gifts as He wills. These gifts complement each other; they do not compete with each other. Second, there are differences of ministries. Some have the gift of apostleship, some the gift of prophets, some the gift of pastor-teachers. Others have the gift of government or the gift of helps. Some have the gift of exhortation, an important and valuable gift. My wife has this gift. After she speaks to and exhorts various groups, they're ready to go out and challenge the world. These are all different gifts of administration, but the same Lord directs them all. Though we may serve Him in different ways, we serve the same Lord. Third, there are diversities of operations. I know how certain gifts operate in my life, but it doesn't follow that they will operate in the same way in your life. They might, but not necessarily. Why not? Because there are diversities of operations. The Spirit works differently in our lives, according to our own unique personalities and idiosyncrasies. Surely if you're a parent you've discovered that none of your children are exactly alike. Each one has a unique and distinct personality. Or, if you have 14 grandkids,