When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church…The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. For God is not a God of disorder but of peace. - 1 Corinthians 14:32-33
When Jesus ascended to heaven he gave his followers the promise that God would send a new comforter. This new comforter would also be a powerful agent in administering the kingdom of God on earth. He then identified this powerful force as the Holy Spirit which would be given to every believer. Throughout the New Testament the Holy Spirit is spoken of as producing righteous fruit in the believers as well as equipping believers with gifts of service to administer the kingdom.
In 1 Corinthians 12-14 Paul is giving instructions concerning the proper way that the gifts of the Spirit are to be administered. The work of the Holy Spirit, and his gifting for ministry, is to promote the kingdom and to produce peace.
Some have been reserved in giving the Holy Spirit freedom to minister in the gifts because they have been told that it will bring confusion and be divisive. That was the very reason Paul was giving the instruction in 1 Corinthians. Of the gifts he says, “All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church.” Then he gives instructions on the proper administration of the gifts and promises that “God is not a God of disorder but of peace.”
When the gifts of the Holy Spirit are in operation according to the order God established the result will be peace. That is the reason we need to seek God for the gifts to be manifest among us. The peace of God is administered through the operation of the gifts of the Spirit.
Prayer: Father, grant me the faith to allow the Holy Spirit to operate through me in such a way that peace is released in the kingdom of God. In Jesus name, amen.
Spiritual Gifts Produce God’s Peace
Principle: The orderly manifestation of spiritual gifts releases the peace of God.
Affirmation: I am thankful for the Holy Spirit who manifests his gifting through me and I express those gifts in a manner which results in peace.
Reflection: Paul was instructing the church about the importance of the gifts of the spirit, and of the importance of those gifts being administered in an orderly manner. Reflect on that, perhaps reading chapters 12-14 then write your thoughts below.
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