God's Design - We Need Each Other [1 Corinthians 12:1-11]

5And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. 6There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. 7But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

Why different spiritual gifts?  Why didn't God give each of us all the different gifts?  In this passage God begins to unfold His answer.  He is calling us to experience unity with other believers.  He designed us for relationship.  In verses 4 and 5 we are reminded of the relationship between the Spirit, the Lord and God as they work together in our life.  There are different gifts but the same Spirit is "distributing (gifts) to each one as He wills" (v. 11).  There are different ministries but the same Lord.  There are different effects but the same God.  (And by the way, did you notice -  He is the One doing all the work!)

In the following verses which we will look at tomorrow He begins to use the human body as a picture of the body of Christ. (Those who belong to Christ are His body.)  But before He introduces that aspect, God wants you to be completely aware of why He has given different gifts.  Don't miss verse 7 - each one of us is given the manifestation of the Spirit, not for our own benefit but for the benefit of others (common good).

May we walk in unity with fellow believers as we understand the relationship God designed each of us to enjoy, using the gifts He has given us to benefit those He has placed us with.