Spiritual Gifts Talk: Law or Gospel

We're taking another look at the issue of Spiritual Gifts.

You are probably well aware that everything written in Holy Scripture is either Law or Gospel. The primary purpose of the Law (Matt. 22:36-40) is to reveal our sin. The Law may also be used to curb sin, particularly in the hearts and lives of those outside God's kingdom. Some speak about a third use, namely to provide a guide to understanding how to practice a life of obedience to God and love of our neighbors.

The Gospel, on the other hand, is always about Jesus Christ, God's Son and our Savior. It is the wonderful story of God loving our sinful and rebellious world so much that He sent His only Son into our world to be united forever with us, to bear the weight of our transgressions and to win for us forgiveness and life eternal (Isa.53:1-12; John 3:14-18).

So far we've looked at the two '12' passages in the NT that speak about spiritual gifts. Are these passages Law or are they Gospel? In both Paul begins with the Gospel. He emphasizes that we are members of Christ's body by the free grace of God. Thus in Romans 12 he urges us to approach other members of Christ's body with sober judgment and with humility. We have a variety of ways to serve, so let us use what we have received with zeal and cheerfulness, loving one another with brotherly affection. Here he is using the Law in its third form, as a guide. He continues: outdo one another in showing honor, be fervent in spirit, rejoice in hope, be constantly praying, contribute to the needs of the saints, seek ways to show hospitality, and so forth.

He has the same concern in 1 Corinthians 12. It was God's undeserved grace that empowered you to declare Jesus to be God and LORD. It is the same triune God, Spirit, Son and Father (note the reverse order), who empowers each and every member of the body of Christ and pours out a wide variety of gifts. We need every gift. No one is to exalt him or herself above others because of a certain gift. Of course, essential to the very life of the body are the gifts of God's Word, the apostles, prophets and teachers. Yet love must guide everyone in the use of these gifts. The apostle spells this out in detail in the next chapter. This is all third use of the Law stuff. The motivating power, the Gospel, is always talk about Jesus and His love. But when you start talking about the how to, then you are back into the Law. How to talk does not motivate. Only the Spirit at work in the Gospel and the forgiveness of sins can do that.

And finally, notice that nowhere does the Apostle give any guidance or any suggestion that members of the Body of Christ should use this or that tool to "discover" his or her spiritual gifts. The Spirit will manifest Himself in your life. Gifts and opportunities to serve will be given. Trust in the Spirit. In fact, in the two thousand year history of the church no one ever suggested that this discovery thing be done. Why not? And why has it surfaced now? It almost sounds as if we are looking for some kind of formula, some kind of method to—dare I say it—get God to do OUR will and grow our churches. Almost. I hope not. We must look at that question later.

With all this in mind, next week I will take up a discussion of the two '4' passages so often quoted in the many discussions of spiritual gifts: Ephesians 4 and 1 Peter 4.