SPIRITUAL IMPULSE (25 OF 52)
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:3-13
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Spiritual Impulse (25 of 52)
Series: Lectionary, Year A
Christopher B. Harbin
1 Corinthians 12:3-13
There are a lot of different takes and reactions to considering the person, character, and action of God's Spirit within and among us. We talk about spiritual gifts, and some are concerned with power. We talk about the presence of the Spirit, and some are concerned with an emotional display. We talk about inspiration, and some are concerned with taking dictation from divine speech. We talk about the Spirit dwelling within the believer, and some are concerned with possession or invincibility. Instead of all these things, perhaps we should be more concerned with that which drives us. What gives impulse to our words, attitudes, and actions?
Chapter 12 of 1st Corinthians is often pointed to as the central text regarding spiritual gifts. We turn to this passage to help us understand the different ways that God equips disciples through the Spirit working in our lives. We talk of the multiplicity of gifts. We try to enumerate them. We try to find in this text a listing of all the ways that God empowers us for ministry and often as not we get sidetracked into associating the gifting of God's Spirit with the more static things like gifts and skills we can grow and develop over time. I hace seen a host of spiritual gift inventories over the years, and I have yet to encounter one that did more than assess skills or interests. That is not at all what Paul had in mind when he was addressing the church in Corinth.
Paul begins this passage speaking to the issue of the impulse behind our words and actions. He was concerned with what was driving the believers in Corinth to issue the statements they were making. He was concerned with what impelled them to act according to the practices they were developing. He called them to account for the motivations and impulse behind their words, actions, and interactions. He called them to recognize that there are both positive and ...
Series: Lectionary, Year A
Christopher B. Harbin
1 Corinthians 12:3-13
There are a lot of different takes and reactions to considering the person, character, and action of God's Spirit within and among us. We talk about spiritual gifts, and some are concerned with power. We talk about the presence of the Spirit, and some are concerned with an emotional display. We talk about inspiration, and some are concerned with taking dictation from divine speech. We talk about the Spirit dwelling within the believer, and some are concerned with possession or invincibility. Instead of all these things, perhaps we should be more concerned with that which drives us. What gives impulse to our words, attitudes, and actions?
Chapter 12 of 1st Corinthians is often pointed to as the central text regarding spiritual gifts. We turn to this passage to help us understand the different ways that God equips disciples through the Spirit working in our lives. We talk of the multiplicity of gifts. We try to enumerate them. We try to find in this text a listing of all the ways that God empowers us for ministry and often as not we get sidetracked into associating the gifting of God's Spirit with the more static things like gifts and skills we can grow and develop over time. I hace seen a host of spiritual gift inventories over the years, and I have yet to encounter one that did more than assess skills or interests. That is not at all what Paul had in mind when he was addressing the church in Corinth.
Paul begins this passage speaking to the issue of the impulse behind our words and actions. He was concerned with what was driving the believers in Corinth to issue the statements they were making. He was concerned with what impelled them to act according to the practices they were developing. He called them to account for the motivations and impulse behind their words, actions, and interactions. He called them to recognize that there are both positive and ...
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