I remember a statement I once heard: ″When God freezes water, He creates snowflakes-each one beautiful, distinct, and utterly unique in its design and shape. Whereas, when we human beings freeze water, we create ice cubes-identical blocks of boring uniformity.″

This tendency, it seems, had gripped some of the Corinthians when they came together to worship. Some had been gifted by the Holy Spirit to speak ecstatically in tongues-human or divine languages (see 1 Corinthians 13:1) and now expected all truly spiritual people to have this gift. So, Paul now turns from the issues of how they covered their heads during worship (11:2-16), and their abuse of the Lord's Supper (11:17-34), to their misuse of spiritual gifts (12:1-14:40).

First, he reminds them that it wasn't long ago that many of them were being ″led astray″ (12:2; or ″carried away″, KJV) by idols in the pagan temple. An ecstatic experience in and of itself is not a sign of being led by the Holy Spirit. Real evidence of being under the influence of the Holy Spirit is if you long to exalt Jesus as Lord of everything (v. 3)!

Second, he instructs them that the same God, who is Father, Son and Spirit, gives different gifts, different kinds of service, and different workings (vv. 4-6). Paul's point is that the great and glorious God is one, yet He loves diversity. So, the church should do the same, and not insist that everyone has to have the same spiritual gift.

Third, he redirects them from being dazzled by the gifts themselves to being aware of their purpose-which is ″the common good″ (v. 7). God could have given the same gift to everyone, or all the gifts to one person. Yet, in His wisdom, He gives different gifts to different people, so that every person might be needed, and each one may serve the whole church (vv. 7-10). Paul lists nine spiritual gifts (vv. 8-10), but this is not to suggest that these are all the gifts God gives. Rather, he's saying that there is a great variety of gifts, and here are some of them. In fact, every time Paul produces a list of spiritual gifts, it's different! (See vv. 28-30, Romans 12:6-8, Ephesians 4:11-12)

Fourth, he encourages them to see that all the different gifts, works of service, and workings come from the one Spirit who gives them to us ″just as he determines″ (1 Corinthians 12:11). So, we can't demand any gift from Him. God is the giver, and He decides what gift we should have and what will be best for His church.

Heavenly Father, thank You that You are a God who loves diversity and variety. Forgive me and the church when we try to force everyone to fit into our expectations instead of Your purpose. Help us to serve the whole church with whatever gifts You have given us.