Friday Rhapsody Of Realities - You Have Something To Give

For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established (Romans 1:11).

Notice that the Apostle Paul didn’t say, “...I long to see you that we may pray together and ask God to impart you with some spiritual gifts”; no. Rather, he said, “...I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift....” Paul knew he had something to give, contrary to what some people might think about themselves; they don’t believe they have the gifts of the Spirit. “Nobody has any gift; only God has a gift, so stop saying you have a gift,” they’d say, thinking they’re being humble.

However, that’s ignorance, not humility; and God doesn’t want us to be ignorant about the gifts or manifestations of the Spirit. He said in 1 Corinthians 12:1, “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant,” because the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man for the common good (1 Corinthians 12:7). 1 Corinthians 12:8-10 further highlights for us several gifts and manifestations of the Spirit given to each one of us as the Spirit wills.

Paul had something to give, therefore, he longed for his meeting with the believers in Rome, because of the effect it was going to produce in their lives and in his as well. He said, “...That I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me” (Romans 1:12). In other words, he’d be comforted by the results of this spiritual impartation in the lives of these saints in Rome.

We need this in the Church today more than ever. Part of the reasons some Christians are lukewarm and seem to be weak is that they’ve never received such impartation of the Spirit. The Bible tells us how the apostles went about confirming or strengthening the saints in the early Church (Acts 14:22). How did they do it? It was through preaching and teaching of the Word, and the demonstration of the power of the Holy Spirit.

It’s not enough for people to believe; they must also be confirmed, that is, strengthened through the impartation of the gifts of the Spirit. We have something to give; we’re not ordinary. Bless others with the gifts and power of the Holy Spirit in your life.

PRAYER: Dear Father, I thank you for the blessings of your Spirit in my life. Like never before, I’m spreading the fragrance of Christ to my world, that they may partake of your grace, and be blessed by the gifts and power of the Holy Spirit in me, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY: Acts 14:21-23 CEV - Paul and Barnabas preached the good news in Derbe and won some people to the Lord. Then they went back to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch in Pisidia.²² They encouraged the followers and begged them to remain faithful. They told them, “We have to suffer a lot before we can get into God’s kingdom.” ²³ Paul and Barnabas chose some leaders for each of the churches. Then they went without eating and prayed that the Lord would take good care of these leaders.

Matthew 10:7-8 CEV - As you go, announce that the kingdom of heaven will soon be here. ⁸ Heal the sick, raise the dead to life, heal people who have leprosy, and force out demons. You received without paying, now give without being paid.

1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Acts 15:22-35, Esther 5-7
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: 2 Corinthians 11:10-33, Isaiah 20