“to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit…”
by the same Spirit,
In three gifts running, we have the words “through the same Spirit,” “by the same Spirit,” and again “by the same Spirit.” The idea is that the Holy Spirit is the means of ministry behind these gifts. It is interesting how many times Paul uses the word “Spirit” in verses1-11. The entire thrust or burden of this passage is the Holy Spirit. He is the enabler for ministry.
PRINCIPLE:
God always provides the means to do His work.
APPLICATION:
The believer is something like a glove, and the Holy Spirit is the hand. The glove is empty without the hand. When the Holy Spirit moves into the glove, He makes the hand and fingers move. The Holy Spirit donates to us every gift we have. He gives us everything we have of any value. People can attend university to prepare for any profession in the world, but that is not enough for Christian work. Some people excel academically in Christian institutions, yet they struggle in ministry. There is more to ministry than academic training, for it involves both giftings by the Spirit and empowerment by the Spirit. Thus, there is no credit for success for a minister of the gospel.
1 Co 4:7, For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?
The believer is not responsible for providing the materials when he goes to spiritual war. The Department of War provides the armory and means of war to the soldier. He does not have to run to the hardware store to get a shovel to dig a foxhole. All the Christian does is make himself available, and God will provide the wherewithal. He will give the gifts necessary to do His work. God’s commandments are God’s enablements. God will never ask us to do something we are unable to do. God does not expect of us what we cannot do.
2 Co 3:5, Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God
