1 Corinthians 12:7-11
Often we mistake the things that the Holy Spirit does to be the gifts of the Spirit, but the Holy Spirit is Himself the gift. He is God's gift to the church. In turn, the Holy Spirit then gives what the scriptures call the manifestation of the Spirit as gifts to everyone in the church for the profit of all.
If the manifestations are given, then they must have to be received by us to own them. The problem is not in the giving, the Holy Spirit has given them; the problem is with us receiving that which has already been given. The way to receive anything that God gives is through faith. The giving of the manifestations of the Spirit is an act of grace, and everything that grace gives is received by faith. So I first acknowledge that I have been given the manifestation of the Spirit, then, I, by faith receive and possess it, and still by faith step out and operate in it. Nothing will happen except by faith because the just shall live by faith. My part as a believer is to receive, by faith, the manifestation of the Spirit, which is given, and then release it by faith for the profit of all, and leave the outcome to God.
It's important to know that nothing in the physical is given to show me that the Holy Spirit is manifesting Himself, I have to receive it by faith because I know that it has been given. I know this because it is revealed in the bible. Apart from faith, it will be impossible to operate in any of the manifestations of the Spirit. For example, Romans 12:6 shows that the operation of manifestation of the Spirit in prophecy happens by faith.
"Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;" Romans 12:6
Why are these called the manifestations of the Spirit? The Holy Spirit is invisible, therefore, His presence cannot be verified by any physical means. These manifestations make His presence known in tangible ways. And it must also be noted that the object of the Holy Spirit manifesting Himself is to glorify Jesus. It is not given to advance the ministry of anyone, but given to everyone for the profit of all.
Toni
Often we mistake the things that the Holy Spirit does to be the gifts of the Spirit, but the Holy Spirit is Himself the gift. He is God's gift to the church. In turn, the Holy Spirit then gives what the scriptures call the manifestation of the Spirit as gifts to everyone in the church for the profit of all.
If the manifestations are given, then they must have to be received by us to own them. The problem is not in the giving, the Holy Spirit has given them; the problem is with us receiving that which has already been given. The way to receive anything that God gives is through faith. The giving of the manifestations of the Spirit is an act of grace, and everything that grace gives is received by faith. So I first acknowledge that I have been given the manifestation of the Spirit, then, I, by faith receive and possess it, and still by faith step out and operate in it. Nothing will happen except by faith because the just shall live by faith. My part as a believer is to receive, by faith, the manifestation of the Spirit, which is given, and then release it by faith for the profit of all, and leave the outcome to God.
It's important to know that nothing in the physical is given to show me that the Holy Spirit is manifesting Himself, I have to receive it by faith because I know that it has been given. I know this because it is revealed in the bible. Apart from faith, it will be impossible to operate in any of the manifestations of the Spirit. For example, Romans 12:6 shows that the operation of manifestation of the Spirit in prophecy happens by faith.
"Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;" Romans 12:6
Why are these called the manifestations of the Spirit? The Holy Spirit is invisible, therefore, His presence cannot be verified by any physical means. These manifestations make His presence known in tangible ways. And it must also be noted that the object of the Holy Spirit manifesting Himself is to glorify Jesus. It is not given to advance the ministry of anyone, but given to everyone for the profit of all.
Toni
