A Gift for Today...continued

Anointed Natural Gifts or Talents or Spiritual Enablings

There are gifts, for everything is a gift of God, that are not supernatural but at times move to a new spiritual realm by the anointing of the Holy Spirit.

John Phillips in his preaching notes "The Epistle to the Ephesians - part 2" (18) from the School of the Word series explains natural gifts in the following way:

THE NATURAL GIFTS - which are QUICKENED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT or THE SPIRITUAL ENABLINGS - by God through the Holy Spirit

OLD TESTAMENT EXAMPLES

Spirit-Filled Craftsmen: Bazaleel, Ex.31:3, 36:1. Skilful engraver whose talent is lifted into new realm by anointing of the Holy Spirit.
Spirit-Filled Administrator: Joseph, Gen.41:38 (Contrast his interpretation of dreams which was entirely supernatural by Gift of The Spirit)
Spirit-Filled Musicians: 1 Sam.16:23, 1 Chron.25:1. When one in the providence of God has acquired a natural (?) talent, then it is lifted into a new realm by the anointing of the Holy Spirit.

NEW TESTAMENT EXAMPLES

1 Corinthians.12:27-31 Here Paul is not giving us yet another list of the Gifts of The Spirit but, in relation to his 'Body Picture', a variety of functions are necessary. He gives a selection from each of the three groups:

   a) Ministry Gifts - Apostles, Prophets, Teachers
   b) Spiritual Gifts - Miracles, Healings, Tongues, Interpretation
   c) Spiritual Enablings - Administration, Helps (supports)

Romans.12:3-13 again Paul is not giving yet another list of the Gifts of The Spirit, but in relation to his 'Body Picture', v.3-5, he again shows the variety of function as necessary and again makes a selection from each of the three groups. Here, however, he enlarges upon Spiritual Enablings.

   a) Ministry Gifts -Teacher, v.7
   b) Spiritual Gifts - Prophecy, v.6
   c) Spiritual Enablings - quite a number -

      1. Practical service, v.7
      2. Encouragement, v.8
      3. Giving, v.8
      4. Ruling, v. 8
      5. Practical Charity, v.13
      6. Hospitality, v.13

Please note: We are not attempting here to define each function, or list them all. Nor do we enter into the various ways in which Paul uses the words 'gift' and 'grace'.

We are seeking to illustrate the numerous ways in which each 'body member' may be gifted, and may function to the benefit of the whole.

It is important to see that our talents or natural gifts move to a new level when anointed by the Holy Spirit. However this doesn't turn these talents into gifts of the Spirit or ministry gifts, but that does not negate in any way their usefulness in the body of Christ.

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