12:27 Now you are
the body of Christ, and members individually. 28 And God has
appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers,
after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties
of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all
prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? 30 Do
all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all
interpret? 31 But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I
show you a more excellent way.
Paul doesn't just list the main gifts given by the Spirit, he
ranks them. Then he advises Christians to desire the best gifts. I can't help but
notice his list is not what you would expect. Some may disagree with me here
and that's perfectly normal and healthy but I'm going to attempt to define an
apostle. The word literally means 'one who is sent out'. Paul can't be
referring to the narrow definition of the original 12 apostles because it would
have been impossible to join that group so why be told to desire a gift you
can't have? Instead let's look at the more general description of an apostle.
To be sent out involves someone sending you. So an apostle is a person the
church recognizes as capable and worthy to send out to unreached places like
Paul did to spread the good news about Jesus. Such an individual would today be
called a missionary and Paul describes that giftedness as being the most
desirable above a prophet or a teacher.
Now look at the church and the world. If you asked the
average person to list the gifts Paul has given here in order of desirability
how do you think most would rank them? Do you think the ability to heal and
perform miracles would be at the bottom?
It is interesting to not that one large Christian
denomination places a huge emphasis on speaking in tongues. They basically
teach that you haven't received the Holy Spirit at all if you can't speak in
tongues. Clearly we don't value what God values and over value other things.
When it comes to miracles, Jesus said "A wicked and perverse generation
seeks signs and miracles."
The tendency to undervalue what it truly valuable and over
value what is not pervades our society. Think about it. We hold huge galas
televised internationally to give awards to actors and musicians. What about
the teachers who work tirelessly in less than easy or ideal circumstances to
educate our children, often spending far more time with them than we do? What
about the doctors, nurses, and other medical personnel that care for our
health? Where are the accolades for them?
Even in the church it is all backwards. Missionaries go where
they know no one and make no money to share God's love with strangers and we
barely lift an eyebrow. Meanwhile the preachers who "stay home" and
preach to the "saints" on a comfortable salary etc... receive far
more appreciation.
Now before I get myself in trouble by being too critical my
point is not to rank us by what we do. My point is to really look at the list
of gifts and the order Paul put them in. Then look at your life and the world
around you and seriously ask yourself if your evaluation of what is important
or truly valuable is right. Would Jesus agree? Desire what He would desire if
He were in your situation.
One more thing. Think about people in your life who will
never make a headline or receive an award but are doing something that is
really making a positive difference. Then find a way to let them know it is
truly appreciated.
Soon we'll explore "a more excellent way".
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