I Corinthians 12-14
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
I Corinthians 12:4-7
For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.
I Corinthians 12:12-13
Each one of us is a unique individual. God knows each of us individually, loves us individually, and bestows spiritual gifts on us individually. But we are not meant to live simply as individuals. My relationship with Christ is never just “me and Jesus”; it is always “Jesus and the rest of His body and me”. I am not in this alone. Neither are you. I need you. And you need me.
Do I have reason to boast over whatever spiritual gifts I might have? No! Why should I? They are unearned gifts after all! Or should I be envious of your gifts? Again, no! The Holy Spirit distributes His gifts perfectly as He wills. Should I desire the higher gifts? Absolutely! And then hoard them, keeping them to myself? No!
I will show you a still more excellent way.
I Corinthians 12:31b
That more excellent way is love, apart from which the gifts are worthless.
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