That's Not What I Want!!

• 1 Corinthians 12:1 (ESV)
• 1 Corinthians 12:7 (ESV)
• 1 Corinthians 12:11 (ESV)

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When it comes to spiritual gifts, opinions range across the board from "Let's just not talk about it" to "They're all we talk about." There's no denying the existence of spiritual gifts nor their necessity in Kingdom work, however, Paul makes it clear that he wants the Corinthians (as well as us today) to KNOW something about spiritual gifts and not be UNINFORMED.

I'm certainly simplifying things when I say that to argue over the existence, importance and effectiveness of various gifts today is not at all what Paul wanted. He wanted us to be informed. To know that God the Holy Spirit is the giver of each, every and any gift (v11) for the common good (v7). It's not about whether or not you can win an argument or prove a point, it's about whether or not you're using your gift(s) for the good of the Kingdom.

My guess is that Paul would be screaming his fool head off at people who are less interested in being informed by Scripture and more interested in twisting Scripture and then using it to "inform" others that their understanding, is the only one that's right.

Paul is still saying today, Come on, that's not what I want......."Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed."

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