GIFTS

A gift is something that is freely given to someone without any form of payment, either in kind or in cash. It is also an endowment, that is, an ability possessed by someone.  Spiritual gifts are special abilities given to saints by the Holy Spirit.

 “To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice[a]; to another, the same Spirit gives a message of special knowledge. 9 The same Spirit gives great faith to another, and to someone else the one Spirit gives the gift of healing. 10 He gives one person the power to perform miracles, and another the ability to prophesy. He gives someone else the ability to discern whether a message is from the Spirit of God or from another spirit. Still another person is given the ability to speak in unknown languages, while another is given the ability to interpret what is being said.” 1 Cor 12: 8 NLT

It is important to note that none of these gifts or the persons expressing them is superior to the other. Every saint has been given one or more gifts and we have the potential to express them. These gifts are meant to serve other saints and the body of Christ as a whole. It is not for personal gain.

To realise the full potential of your gift, you must serve, and you become proficient as you do so. However, some saints believe they do not have any gift. This could be attributed to the fact that they are likely not serving, as one’s gift can be discovered in the place of service. Not using your gifts, is depriving the saints from being served, enriched, edified, and blessed.

 “A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.” 1 Cor 12: 7 NLT

 “God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.” 1 Peter 4:10 NLT

FRUITS

The fruit of the spirit are virtues and character traits that should be evident in the life of saints, and they are produced by the Holy Spirit to make saints Christlike. Some people refer to them in plural form as ‘Fruits’ because they are nine, however the scripture refer to them in a singular form ‘Fruit’. This shows that these attributes are united in one, love, which can express every other fruit (1 Cor 13:4-6).

“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!” Gal 5:22-23 NLT

These fruits contrast the attributes of an ungodly life as seen in Gal 5:19 NLT:

 “When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarrelling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.”

As saints, we depend on and cooperate with the Holy Spirit to transform us by spending time in the presence of God, with the Word and in prayers.

“Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives”. Gal 5:25 NLT

Note: Just like the tree that produces them, fruits are not meant to be kept, but to be shared. Let your fruits be expressed to benefit others.

PRAYER POINTS

• Pray that we don’t ignore our gifts but earnestly desire to express them. 1 Cor 12:31; 1 Cor 14:1 
• Pray that we are bold in walking in our gifts and expressing our fruits. 2 Tim 1:7; Rom 12:6
• Pray that God works in us to will and to do his good pleasure. Phil 2:13
• Spend time to personalise 1 Cor 13:4-6

By Utibe Akpan