Tough Questions for Christians March 9 Devotional
by David Joynt on March 09, 2023
Stress Test Devotional April 20
April 20, 2024
1 CORINTHIANS 12:4-7 | 4 Now there are varieties of gifts but the same Spirit, 5 and there are varieties of services but the same Lord, 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
The new outpouring of the Spirit necessitated a new model of community and a new approach to power and to leadership. In a hierarchical world of deference to established authorities, the general distribution of the Spirit was revolutionary. It meant a new pattern of discernment and decision making that was cooperative, interdependent, and gift based. Roles were tied to spiritual capacities and community needs, an approach that was pragmatic and anti-elitist. The question becomes “who has the God-given ability to do this task?” and not “who has the right background, standing, or gender?”
Do you think giftings intrinsically connect to gender?
Gracious God,
Grow my sense of openness to the gifts of others. Let me be a source of encouragement to women and men as they seek to serve You.
Amen.
