THE GIFT(S) OF THE SPIRIT

“The greatest blessing we possess is the indwelling Spirit” A.W. Pink (ref#269, p99).  “The gift of the Spirit is the distinguishing feature of the Christian religion….In His indwelling Presence is the secret of all Christian experience, and in the abiding energy of His power is the dynamic of all Christian service” Samuel Chadwick (ref#195, p157).

“…love had been worked into your lives by the Spirit” (Col 1:5-8 MSG).

“…the Holy Spirit is promised under a twofold consideration: (1) As a Spirit of sanctification to the elect, to convert them and make them believers.  (2) As a Spirit of consolation to believers…” John Owen (ref#35, p359).  “…he [the Spirit] is described to us as a Fountain, whence all heavenly riches flow to us…” John Calvin (ref#113, p350).

“He maintains the life of grace in us….He is owner of the house, and not an underling…He commands and governs after His own will” A. W. Pink (ref#269, p100). My joy comes from being “…animated and motivated by God’s Spirit…” (Gal 5:16-18 MSG).

“Spiritual gifts are not the same as the gift of the Spirit.  The gift of the Spirit has been bestowed on all believers (John 14:16; Acts 2:38), and every member of the body should appropriate this gift” (Kenneth Boa, The Gifts of the Spirit,http://bible.org/article/gifts-spirit).  The SPIRIT when gifted produces fruit.  “Fruit belongs to character…fruit is the manifestation of cultivated life….fruit is a quality of life…fruit is a manifestation….fruit is implanted and is gradual development…Fruit is for all…” Samuel Chadwick (ref#195, p145-146).

“The gifts of the Spirit, on the other hand, are distributed as he decides to each person (1 Cor 12:11)” (Kenneth Boa,The Gifts of the Spirit,http://bible.org/article/gifts-spirit).  “Gifts are an evidence of the Spirit; but they are no proof of holiness…Gifts are according to the elections of the sovereign will of the Spirit of God;…Gifts are for service…Gifts are functional…Gifts are bestowed…Gifts may be given immediately and complete…gifts are for those for whom they have been prepared…We may covet gifts, but we must bear fruit.  Gifts cannot take the place of fruit” Samuel Chadwick (ref#195, p145-146).  The gift of the HOLY SPIRIT bears fruit; gifts of the SPIRIT can operate without producing fruit.

FATHER, it is my human nature to desire gifts more than fruit.  For the SPIRIT to produce fruit in me I must be patient and humble.  And since fruit defines a true Christian, I desire to be patient and humble over doing something extraordinary using the SPIRIT’s gifts.