When the Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Rome, he described several gifts of grace given to believers. Among them was the gift of giving: “If it is giving, then give generously” (Romans 12:8). Paul was not merely describing the ability to write a check. The gift of giving is a God-given capacity to […]
Sixty years ago, I was working as a door-to-door salesman in a community on the edge of the Mojave Desert. Waiting to get picked up at the end of a discouraging day, a pastor from the house I had just visited walked out and sat with me at the curb. He offered some much-needed words […]
When Paul lists the spiritual gifts in Romans 12, he writes simply, We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is […]
In his letter to the church in Rome, Paul explains: We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then […]
Unlike the fruits of the Spirit, such as love, joy, peace, gentleness, and goodness, which are easily understood and point to examples of Christian character to be emulated, the gifts of the Holy Spirit are specialized, foundational skills that God in his infinite wisdom gives to select children of God for whom he has a […]
When many Christians hear the word prophecy, they immediately think of Isaiah foretelling the birth of the Messiah or Jeremiah warning Judah of impending judgment. While these Old Testament prophets certainly spoke God’s word, the gift of prophecy described by the Apostle Paul in Romans 12:6 and 1 Corinthians 12 is related to—but distinct from—the […]
The answer is yes—but perhaps not in the way many people imagine. God certainly has a purpose for every person He has created. Scripture teaches that our lives are not accidents. The psalmist rejoices, “Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written every one of them, the days that were formed for […]
Among the fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22–23, Paul includes peace. This peace is far more than the absence of conflict or a temporary feeling of calm. It is a deep and abiding confidence that comes from being reconciled to God through Jesus Christ and living under the rule of His Spirit. “But […]
In his letter to the church in Galatia, the Apostle Paul writes about what their lives should and will look like as the Holy Spirit molds them. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. .” Galatians 5:22,23 (NIV) The Greek […]
Joy, as described in Scripture, is far deeper than a passing emotional state. The Apostle Paul lists joy as part of the fruit of the Spirit: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. .” Galatians 5:22,23 This joy is not […]
