David speaks: "Spiritual Gifts"

David, a Year One double-degree student from SMU, recently contracted cancer, but regardless of the challenges, he remains strong and faithful and encouraging to everyone.

1 Cor 12

Today's quiet time is on spiritual gifts.

I remember just a while back, my aunt came down from KL to visit me and my family. She is a Christian herself and she was delighted to hear that my family has decided to accept the Lord into their lives. Thus when she was with us, she laid hands on me and prayed for my healing. Her belief is in faith healing and the speaking of tongues. Ever since my hospitalization, many people have came by to pray for me. My parents have seen their fair share of Christians speaking in tongues and the laying of hands. They were convicted by it. Even though my convictions tell me otherwise, I did not want to reject their love for me, for I know deep down they truly want me to be well.

My mom's sister, who is from New Creation Church, and my aunt from KL both asked me on separate occasions why I do not believe in the speaking of tongues. My aunt from KL referred me once to 1 Cor 14 when I asked her where in the bible did it talk about the speaking of tongues. Seems I was not very familiar with this chapter, when I got down to reading it, I was confused. I knew what our church preaches about this particular false teaching but this chapter seems to indicate that God does allow people to speak in tongues. I was stuck. I didn't know how to answer my aunt at that point of time. But later on, I decided to read the chapters before and I realise we cannot seek to understand 1 Cor 14 without reading and understanding 1 Cor 12 - 13 first. Thus I will encourage everyone to read all three chapters together, if possible.

In this chapter, Paul talks about the gift of knowledge, gift of faith, gift of healing, gift of prophesy, gift of speaking in tongues etc. Through one spirit, God gives men many gifts in life. So it seems like my aunt is still right in embracing faith healing and tongue speaking. But as I read on, Paul talks about one body, many parts. Each of us is a part of the body, the body of Christ. Just as in a physical body, different parts are for different purposes; So in a body of Christ, different people serve different purposes. But the main message is that we cannot do without one another. Every part of the body is of equal importance, it is only when every part serves its own purpose can the body function properly.

Thus in the same way, different people recieve different gifts from God to serve different purposes. I believe the gifts of healing and tongue speaking were definitely present during Paul's time, thats why he talked about it. But that was to serve a purpose at that time when people did not have the bible to read, they needed miracles to believe. Now, these gifts no longer serve a purpose as the entire Word of God has been written. Rather other gifts of teaching and spreading the gospel are more important to us.

Having shared all these, I believe there is a reason for everybody that God puts in my life. There is a reason for everyone of us who is in Campus. All of us have a part to play, without anyone of us, Campus cannot perform at its optimum level. To me, it is by God's grace that we can all recieve salvation and get to know each other in the kingdom. Each of us was a new addition to this big family. As I look at the studies we are having now, I'm encouraged and excited not only at the number but also the potential impact they will have on Campus when they eventually make it to the baptism pool. Every new addition is a gift from God as he or she can make a difference in our lives. I think we are always very excited to have a new sister or brother but sometimes fail to see how this person can potentially change our thoughts or teach us something.

Let us be grateful that God has provided us with many gifts, not only in us but also our closest siblings in the kingdom. Let us use our gifts to bring each other higher in the faith. There is nothing to compare or contrast, each of us serve a different purpose. As long as we serve God's purpose, he will be pleased. =)