The Fifth Sunday in Lent (NT)

1 Corinthians 12:1-11
1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2 You know that when you were pagans you were led astray to mute idols, however you were led. 3 Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit.
4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. 2001 (1 Co 12:1–11). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

I have been intrigued lately by this passage, because it reminds us what the gift of the Spirit really is. Many people today struggle with understanding the work of the Holy Spirit. Most of us know the Father as creator and we kind of think of him as the ultimate director of the Trinity. The Son is the one who reveals the plan of God in multiple ways, but most importantly through his Incarnation. But where does the Holy Spirit fit into all this.

This text reminds us of the true work and power of the Holy Spirit. Most people think they have accepted Jesus Christ into their hearts. People believe they have initiated the conversation with the Son of God and call to the Father in prayer. But as someone wrapped up in the Holy Spirit, it is he who points us to Christ and the Father.

Maybe the Confession should be changed from "who together with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified" to "who provides us the ability to worship the Holy Spirit with the Father and the Son". It is only through the gift of the Holy Spirit that we can confess Christ or believe in him.

This is the intriguing thing. When people look for the gift of the Spirit, they look for healing, speaking in tongues, and prophesying. But when I read this text, the gift of the Spirit we should be looking for is Faith. Do I believe in Jesus Christ and call him Lord? If the answer is yes, then you have been given the greatest gift of the Holy Spirit. Thus, One can say he is the Lord and giver of Life. The Holy Spirit has saved you from your sins, granted through Christ's Sacrifice. But without the Holy Spirit you would not have this gift of Forgiveness.