The Gift of Faith

For to one is given by the Spirit ... faith" - 1st Corinthians 12:7a, 9a

Faith has the distinction of being both a Gift and Fruit of the Holy Spirit.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, - Galatians 5:22

The difference? Fruit is grown, starting small and increasing over a period of time. A gift doesn't grow, it is either fully there or not.

Faith, the gift, is a deep sense that, in spite of doubts of mind and logic, a particular desire shall be accomplished and/or an impossible obstacle shall be removed. It's described by the Apostle Paul's in his "Love" Chapter,

"though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains ..." - 1st Corinthians 13:2a

There is, usually, a sense of excitement with it, and a decision has to be made to either hold on to it until the desire is accomplished, or let go of it.

If you hold on it will be an amazing ride full of wonder at God's greatness; and when it's done the fruit of faith will have grown a lot!

- fritz

The Word Of Knowledge

For to one is given by the Spirit ... the word of knowledge ..." - 1st Corinthians 12:8

God works through ordinary people who, simply, believe in Christ and yield to his leading. He does his work through what are called "Gifts" of and by the Holy Spirit.

One such gift of the Spirit is the word of knowledge.

We see it demonstrated in the Old Testament life of Daniel when he was required to tell the contents of the King's dream to avoid death.

We see it in the life of Jesus when he spoke to the woman at the well, telling her she had previously had five (5) husbands.

God, who knows all, imparts to us a snippet of knowledge we need to accomplish a task. Sometimes it is to minister to another, but often to help us in our need. When given it is usually an idea accompanied with a nagging feeling which is hard to shake, but can be ignored.

These should not be ignored but embraced as a gifts from God.

- fritz

The Word of Wisdom

For the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; - 1st Corinthians 12:7-8

Sometimes we have difficulty hearing from God; we're just too emotionally involved to get clear direction. We need a word of wisdom untainted by our interpretation or desire.

God speaks this word not by a special holy man but by an ordinary brother or sister in Christ, dropping it into his or her heart and mind, often out of context.

In the one there will be a little heat involved - an unshakable urge to say something to a specific person either known or unknown. In the other there is usually surprise and often a puzzlement.

As part of the Body of Christ we must be willing to give these words just as a hand must be willing to move at the impulse from the brain. We must also be open to receive these words from others, recognizing their true source even though given from ordinary people.

- fritz

"Practice Makes Perfect"

"For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; .. the word of knowledge ... faith ... gifts of healing ... the working of miracles ... prophecy ... discerning of spirits ... divers kinds of tongues ... the interpretation of tongues.

For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. - 1st Corinthians 12:8-12

The Apostle Paul draws the analogy of the differing gifts of the Holy Spirit as being like different body parts and, indeed, we are different parts of Christ's body, the way he functions in the earth today.

Just as we could hardly expect a person to be a good ball player without practice, we can't honestly expect the body parts of Christ to function together without "practice", either.

This is where churches find their fulfillment. The local church must be willing to provide a safe place to "practice" without fear of rejection, otherwise it is just taking up space. As we practice we get it wrong sometimes, this is to be expected and should be allowed; a good pastor will help by coaching and encouraging. The more we practice the better we get.

Churches are not the body of Christ, believers are. Churches are to be the safe place believers practice and exercise so they become really good at it on the field.

- fritz

The True Host (Body of Christ)

"Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. - 1st Corinthians 12:27

God works through symbols - a piece of bread, a drop of oil, some sprinkled water, but it is the reality which is holy, the symbol is only a poor representation.

We who have placed our faith in Christ are, individually, a part his body and have a part in touching one another with and for Christ. The gifts of the Holy Spirit work in that endeavor, helping us do our part.

- fritz

Pivot Point of History

"In the past God spoke ... through the prophets ...but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son" - Hebrews 1:1-2 NIV

Christ is the Pivot Point of history. All true prophets and seers of the past pointed to him and he is now the source of all God's revelation.

No more is there, nor has there been, need for another to come after Christ and speak for him, all such are impostors; he speaks for himself to and through his body with the gifts of the Holy Spirit. This is their purpose.

- fritz

What Does God's Face Look Like?

"[A]s many as received [Jesus], to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born ... of God. And the Word was made flesh ..." - John 1:12-14

"God has a face and it looks like your face and my face. If people want to know what he looks like they will be looking at you and me ... People are looking at you and me to see if the word of God has any flesh on it."

- Fr. Desmond Gooneskera, Rector, St. Cuthbert Episcopal Church, December 26, 2010

The Apostle Paul put it this way,

"Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. - 1st Corinthians 12:27

- fritz