RE Verse reading–1 Corinthians 12:4-31, Ephesians 4:11-16, 1 Peter 4:10-11 (day two) “To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good” (1 Corinthians 12:7) Christ is the end of our self-centerness. When we follow Him, when we receive His extravagant love, we become obligated to give ourselves in return, to spend our lives for His purpose, His people. Our gifts from God (spiritual and material) are not intended for individual gain or glory, but for “the common good” The word is sumphero. Literally “to carry together” The idea is of logs lying separate with limited potential for combustion. When carried to a central place, when stacked together a new possibility is born. Fire! Warmth! Light! The Holy Spirit does the same for us. He carries us together and sets us on fire for the glory of Christ. No wonder He is so grieved by disunity. His power is perfected when we lose our self-centeredness and work together for the common good.
