1 Corinthians 12: Reaching Across

"There are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons."  1 Corinthians 12:4-6

You, child of God, are such a tool.

Yes, you are.  And so am I.  And it’s an incredible blessing.

I’m not saying that you’re an ignoramus who can’t recognize when you’re being used and manipulated.  I’m not accusing you of being pompous or a selfish jerk. No. I’m using Merriam-Webster’s definition:  A tool is a handheld device that aids in accomplishing a task…a means to an end…an implement adapted to facilitate a definite kind or stage of work and suggests the need of skill [on the part of the operator].  Likewise, you are a distinctive instrument designed to be used by God to accomplish His work (Romans 9:21-24; 2 Timothy 2:20-21).  He defines your particular function within the space, time, and circumstances in which your unique life’s story has been ordained to play out. 

Most of us are quite familiar with 1 Corinthians 12.  We tend to focus on the spiritual gifts themselves, as well as the makeup and overall function of the body of Christ.  But a little excursion in a Greek concordance this morning yielded some fascinating word pictures, insights, and implications that are otherwise shrouded by the words used in English translations.

“Now there are varieties of gifts…varieties of ministries…varieties of effects” (vs. 4-6).  Varieties (diaíresis) is the first of those words that I found isn’t quite what it seems at face value. We normally interpret it to mean diversity. While that is part of its connotation, the emphasis of the Greek word is something else entirely!  The word has two parts to it. The first part means “through, reaching across,” and the second part means “making a personal choice.”  It depicts God’s own hand reaching out through us to impact others. How? Through the Spiritual empowerments He personally chooses to give each one of us. The verses could literally read, “Now there are God-issued reaching-across gifts…God-appointed reaching-across ministries…God-determined reaching-across effects.” The main focus is not on the diversity of the gifts, but on God choosing in His omniscience how He will apportion His gifts to each of us so we can be effectual conduits of His truth and love to the world. It is He, Himself, who “reaches across” to touch the hearts, souls, and lives of others through us. 

But there are more brush strokes to notice in this scriptural painting. The second word that captured my attention is gifts (xárismatōn) (vs. 4). The Greek language has a different word (dōreá) that reflects how we would commonly understand the concept in English – i.e., something freely given. But that isn’t the word used here. Xárismatōn means “grace-endowments.” That is, God freely gives us something with divine (Holy Spirit) power behind it, but the emphasis is on displaying the goodness of the Giver.  The very same word is used in Romans 6:23 in reference to the grace-endowment bestowed on us at the moment of salvation, resulting in our eternal justification.  Grace-endowments are gifted to us, not generated by us nor merited by us. They are hand-picked by God, and they are bestowed as a means to accomplish His plans and purposes so that He gets the credit.  He determines how to equip each of us to carry out His will (c.f., Ephesians 3:7, 20-21).

God not only distributes gifts, but He also orchestrates ministries (diakonía) (vs. 5). We might think of formal, defined ministries, like a women’s ministry leader, a Sunday school teacher, a pastor, a deacon, or a choir director.  He calls some to that work, to be sure. But the word merely refers to active service done with a willing attitude, implying carrying out the commands of someone else. Active service to our Master has perhaps infinite manifestations – most of which I would surmise are carried out in the humdrum rhythms of everyday life rather than in the spotlight (Matthew 25:37-40; Proverbs 19:17; Matthew 10:42).  Jesus – our Master, the King, the One with supreme authority – is the One who calls the shots. He distributes the assignments. He guides us with His eye throughout each day (Psalm 32:8; Psalm 25:4-5,12). Our job is to be attentive and respond in voluntary submission to whatever our Master is calling us to do, whatever form that might take. He doesn’t want a Pharisaical show of personal pride in the capacity of our own flesh as we seek to be noticed and applauded by others (Matthew 23:1-12; Matthew 9:13). Instead, He wants our hearts to beat in time with His so that whatever we do in word and deed flows naturally (supernaturally!) from the compassion wrought within us by God Himself (Colossians 3:17, 23; Micah 6:8; Matthew 6:10; 1 Corinthians 12:31b-13:13; 1 John 4:19).

When we use our reaching-across grace-endowments to serve others in obedience to Jesus, the point is that it is really God who is at work (energéō) (vs. 6, 11).  The picture is that of an electrical wire being energized by current for the purpose of lighting up a bulb or running a power tool or charging a phone. The emphasis is on the results God desires to achieve. We aren’t the source, but the conductors, of God’s power – a means by which His objectives are fulfilled. In a perfect world, His grace-endowments are designed to continually flow through our lifestyle of serving others as we stay connected to Him day-by-day, moment-by-moment (John 15:4-5; Galatians 5:16-25). It is His divine power that supplies everything we need for life and godliness in any and all circumstances when we choose to yield in faith-filled submission to Him (2 Peter 1:3; Psalm 32:9; Ephesians 4:30; 1 Thessalonians 5:19). When we serve others in His power, the outcome is His to determine, not ours.  Isaiah 55:10-11 comes to mind: “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there without watering the earth and making it bear and sprout, and furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; so will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; it will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.”  “Neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth” (1 Corinthians 3:7).

So, whether we’re speaking God’s words of truth and life, holding someone as they weep, wiping the nose of a sick child, visiting with a lonely widow, doing a neighbor’s yard work, cooking supper for our family, evangelizing an unreached people group in Peru, working heartily for our boss, leading a Bible study, or getting into the trenches with someone in the pit, our lives should be entirely about God working through us to reach across to others.  Simple as that.  We are His saws and hammers and screwdrivers and nailsets and routers, but He is the master carpenter. “Is the saw greater than the person who saws? Can a rod strike unless a hand moves it?” (Isaiah 10:15; 1 Corinthians 1:26-31; Romans 12:3). And yet we are powerful tools when we allow ourselves to be wielded by the hand of God. “Such confidence we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God, who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life” (2 Corinthians 3:4-6).  “We have this treasure [His Spirit!] in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves” (2 Corinthians 4:7). In short, go Spirit-empowered, or go home (John 6:63).

From beginning to end, God is the One who takes the initiative to “reach across” to – and through – people like you and me.  He surely doesn’t have to, but He mercifully chooses to do so.  We’d be utterly sunk if He didn’t.  He reached across the chasm of rebellion in the garden of Eden to deliver hope. He reached across by means of His Son to redeem fallen mankind. He reaches across via His Spirit to seal and indwell His children.  And He reaches across through His children to point the world to Himself, allowing us to share in the joy and blessings of being involved in His work, to boot! Yahweh, You are the kindest, most gracious, loving, dependable, honest, wise, authentic, life-giving, wonder-working, mighty, patient, forgiving, unwavering, generous, empathetic, creative, just, sustaining, fulfilling, compassionate, inscrutable, awesome Father.  Help me to get myself out of the way more consistently so I can more effectively reflect Your light to the world. I want others to know You and be blessed by You and glorify You (Matthew 5:14-16; Philippians 2:3-13). Thank You for reaching across to pull me close to You forever.

“Each of you should use whatever grace-endowment you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms” (1 Peter 4:10). Therefore, let’s diligently “fan into flame the gift of God, which is in [each one of us]… For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and discipline” (2 Timothy 1:6-7). 

“Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to Your name give glory because of Your lovingkindness, because of Your truth.” Psalm 115:1