Page 4 - 2017 JFBNews - December

from Pastor Jason Gilbert

The bible has a lot to say about spiritual gifts. We are In 1 Corinthians 7, Paul is getting to the heart of the
probably familiar with the scriptures addressing these gifts. issue behind our desires concerning marriage. That we
If not, take a few minutes and read through in 1 Corinthians won’t find lasting contentment in seeking and finding a
12:1-11, Ephesians 4:11-16, and Romans 12:6-8. In these spouse. Nor will we find lasting contentment in seeking and
verses, we see the various gifts that God gives to each finding freedom from a spouse. We will only find lasting
Christian for serving others, building up the church, and contentment in our “devotion to the Lord”. Paul understood
proclaiming God’s word. These gifts range from performing this. He says in to another church in Philippians 4:11, “I have
miracles and speaking in tongues to simply helping others, learned in whatever situation I am to be content”. Are we
serving people, giving wise advice, and showing kindness. learning this valuable lesson that Paul learned? I fear we are
Some of these gifts come in the form of positions, such as often looking for contentment from our circumstances. Yet
apostles, prophets, evangelists, and teachers. Others in the true contentment comes from the Lord… despite our
form of service and practice. God alone distributes these circumstances. And we know that, right? Then why do we
gifts to each one as he wills... None of us have all the gifts. still run to other sources for our satisfaction? The truth is,
None of us operates autonomously. Yet when we come we cannot presume we will find this contentment with a
together we form one body, operated by one spirit, working tacit devotion to the Lord. Going to church on Sundays and
together as one, each with a specific function that benefits having the right theology won’t satisfy our deepest desires…
the whole. Paul summarizes this in Romans 12:6 saying, “In Eventually we will return to seeking contentment from
his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain worldly things, including worldly relationships. We must be
things well.” genuinely devoted to God before we will be satisfied with
With that said, do we realize Paul uses the exact same Him. God spoke in Jeremiah 29:13 saying, “You will seek me
word, gift (the Greek word charisma), to describe one’s and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” And
current marital status? Paul writes about marriage in 1st when asked what the greatest command was, Jesus
Corinthians 7:7 saying, “I wish that all were as I myself am answered in Matthew 22:37-38, “You shall love the Lord your
[single]. But each has his own gift from God, one of one kind God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all
and one of another.” Really, Paul? Did you just say your mind. This is the great and first commandment.” Are
singleness is a gift? Are you sure you didn’t mean a curse? we seeking God with all our heart and finding our satisfaction
And are you also calling marriage a gift? Based on in Him? As John Piper put it, “He is most glorified in us when
observation, we’d presume Paul is referring to those “special we are most satisfied with him.” Are we satisfied with Him?
cases” ... You know, that one single who never wanted to be But being content with whatever “gift” God has given us
married and loves his independence... Or that one married isn’t the only goal. Just as our spiritual gifts are designed to
couple that still likes each other after fifteen years. You operate in complement to one another, so are the gifts of
know, those who hit the jack pot. That must be who he’s singleness and marriage within the church. It’s easy to look
talking about, right? But he isn’t. Paul is addressing every down on, or to be jealous of another’s, gift. But we need
Christian of all time in their current marital state. Just a few each other. God designed us to need each other. Do we
verses later in 1 Corinthians 7:27 Paul clarifies, “Are you value what singles, couples, and families bring into our lives?
bound to a wife? Do not seek to be free. Are you free from In the end, we will all belong to one eternal spouse as part of
a wife? Do not seek a wife.” And on top of that, Paul isn’t one big happy eternal family. Are we living in light of that
giving this advice to lay some a heavy burden on us, but for now? Perhaps doing so would mitigate the current
our good. Paul writes in verse 35, “I say this for your own “epidemic of loneliness” that the recent surgeon general has
benefit, not to lay any restraint upon you, but to promote spoken of. Are we accompanying each other, praying for
good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the each other, encouraging each other, serving each other? The
Lord.” Apostle Paul demonstrated this well as he acknowledged
approximately 36 individuals, married couples and singles,
who accompanied him on missionary journeys, prayed for
him, encouraged him, visited him in jail, and served him.
Who would we acknowledge in our life? Do we see the same
value in each other as Paul found in his companions?
God has given varied gifts to his body, the church. This
includes pastors and teachers. This includes helpers,
servants, and encouragers. This also includes singles and
married couples. May we be thankful for the gifts God has
given us. May we value the gifts God has given others. And
may we find our greatest satisfaction in Him, as we seek God
with our whole heart and serve one another in His eternal
family, the church.
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