Where Grace Does Not Abound, You Will Find That Spiritual Gifts Are Abused!
In 1st CORINTHIANS CH.12, Paul discusses the extraordinary offices and powers bestowed upon ministers (true disciples) for the conversion of unbelievers, and the distribution and reproduction of the gospel.
Here, in the 12th Chapter of 1st Corinthians, Paul is talking about GIFTS (Charismata), not GRACES (Charis) - the two are distinctly different! BOTH ARE FREELY GIVEN BY GOD, however.......
(1) GRACE is given for the benefit of the individual who has obtained it.
(2) GIFTS are given for the advantage and salvation of others.
So GIFTS can be present and GRACE can be absent, because grace is fueled solely upon the personal realization of this truth: the intent of the one who gives grace can only be understood once grace is received. All have received grace and have still come short of the glory of God, grace is unmerited access through empowerment. The Lord gives us the equipment to administer His goodness to the world, and has granted us the grace (the proper attitude and perspective) to share the glad tidings as well as meet needs.
The church is rich with gifts but scandalously out of order due to the absence of GRACE (which Paul clarifies in Ch.13). We have the tools, power, and authority to rid The Kingdom of its fears, and purposely establish the gospel.
Here, in the 12th Chapter of 1st Corinthians, Paul is talking about GIFTS (Charismata), not GRACES (Charis) - the two are distinctly different! BOTH ARE FREELY GIVEN BY GOD, however.......
(1) GRACE is given for the benefit of the individual who has obtained it.
(2) GIFTS are given for the advantage and salvation of others.
So GIFTS can be present and GRACE can be absent, because grace is fueled solely upon the personal realization of this truth: the intent of the one who gives grace can only be understood once grace is received. All have received grace and have still come short of the glory of God, grace is unmerited access through empowerment. The Lord gives us the equipment to administer His goodness to the world, and has granted us the grace (the proper attitude and perspective) to share the glad tidings as well as meet needs.
The church is rich with gifts but scandalously out of order due to the absence of GRACE (which Paul clarifies in Ch.13). We have the tools, power, and authority to rid The Kingdom of its fears, and purposely establish the gospel.
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