WHEN THE PERFECT COMES

"But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away." (1 Corinthians 13:10)

Devotion 12 of 17

SPIRITUAL GIFTS

Spiritual gifts are a Divine adaptation to our state of imperfection. In glory these gifts will have no place, for there will be no use for them. This does not mean we despise them. It DOES mean we will not allow them to be our focus! Further, any abuse of spiritual gifts is no cause to fabricate a teaching that affirms their obsolescence, however logical that teaching may appear.

A Word About Spiritual Gifts

A general word concerning "spiritual gifts" is certainly in order. Perhaps you have heard people refer to "the nine spiritual gifts." No such terminology is found in Scripture. Nine "manifestations of the Spirit" are mentioned in First Corinthians. They are (1) The word of wisdom, (2) The word of knowledge, (3) Faith, (4) Gifts of healing, (5) The working of miracles, (6) Prophecy, (7) The discerning of spirits, (8) Divers kinds of tongues, and (9) The interpretation of tongues (1 Cor 12:7-10). These are NOT called "spiritual gifts," or placements in the body. Rather, they are referred to as manifestations, or displays, of the Holy Spirit. Later, in the same chapter, a listing is provided of placements in the church. In that text, only eight endowments are mentioned. (1) Apostles, (2) prophets, (3) teachers, (4) miracles, (5) gifts of healing, (6) helps, (7) governments, (8) diversities of tongues (12:28-29). These are identified as unique to certain individuals, and not common graces experienced by all (12:30-31).

The 12th chapter of First Corinthians, then, lists at least fourteen, not nine, spiritual abilities: the nine in verses 7-10, plus "Apostles," "prophets," "teachers," "helps," and "governments." The Spirit also places the priority on the gifts having to do with the communication of the truth of God: i.e., Apostles, prophets, and teachers. With remarkable precision, the Spirit says the other abilities were "after that." The expression "after that" is one denoting the priority and superiority of the first three gifts. Following this same line of reasoning, "gifts" given to redeemed men are mentioned in the fourth chapter of Ephesians: "Apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pators/teachers" (Eph 4:11). All of them, we are apprised, were given "for the perfecting of the saints for the work of ministry" (4:12-16).

The 12th chapter of Romans also addresses the matter of spiritual gifts, or aptitudes. There they are identified as expressions of faith, which God has apportioned by "measure" to every member of Christ's body (12:3). That faith adapts the individual to play a vital role in the edification of the people of God. The Spirit states that we have "gifts differing according to the grace given to us." He then mentions prophesying, ministering (or serving), teaching, exhorting, giving, ruling, and showing mercy (12:6-8). Here we have at least two more gifts (exhorting and showing mercy). If ministering is not identical with "helps," and "ruling" is not the same as "governments," we have increased the number of "spiritual gifts" to eighteen--and no less than sixteen.

At no point are any of these gifts called "miraculous gifts." That is jargon developed by the theologians. Such nomenclature is NOT "words which the Holy Spirit teaches"--which words are to be the vehicle for communicating the truth (1 Cor 2:13). The absurdity of this theological vernacular can be seen from at least two perspectives. FIRST, the workings themselves are expressly called the "manifestation of the Spirit." He is affirmed to administrate these things according to His own will (1 Cor 12:11). SECOND, they are called "gifts" given by Jesus to the church. Both expressions confirm they are transcendent to mere natural abilities--else they would not have to be given. Any gift coming from God is, in a very real sense, transcendent to nature.

If we believe what the Spirit has said about the origin and administration of spiritual gifts, we had better be careful about constructing a theology that precisely defines when they have passed away. Further, it is the height of foolishness to be selective about which gifts passed away--since they all have a common origin and a common Maintainer. Surely no one would be willing to affirm that teaching, shepherding, helps, governments, giving, and showing mercy are no longer required. If such an affirmation is made, it really needs no reply.

For some, this gives license to those who unduly emphasize spiritual gifts. God has, however, told us how to deal with those who say they have something from God. He does not say we are to develop a systematic theology that rules out their claims by religious logic. That is altogether too simplistic. Rather, we are to go "to the law and to the testimony," "prove all things," and "try spirits," (Isa 8:20; 1 Thess 5:21; J john 4:1). We are to present our bodies a living sacrifice to God in order that we may "approve what is excellent" (Rom 12:2; Phil 1:10). A theology that does not require this approach cannot be from God.

COMPLETE AT CHRIST'S COMING

Each individual will be made complete at Christ's coming; i.e., then we will be glorified. It is then, and only then, that we will "see Him as He is" (1 John 3:1-2). Only then will we also "appear in glory with Him" (Col 3:4). It is then that He will change our "vile bodies, that they, might be fashioned like unto His glorious body" (Phil 3:20). Then, our faith, having passed through appointed tests, will be "found unto praise and honor and glory" (1 Pet 1:7). It is then that we will be presented "faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy" (Jude 24). Anyone imagining that "the perfect" will come before that time has betrayed a level of vision that is unacceptable in Christ's Kingdom.

On the other hand, "spiritual gifts" are related to "the body," not the individual. In glory, we will be the "bride," sitting with Jesus in His throne, ruling and reigning with Him as "heirs of God and joint heirs with" Christ (Rev 21:9; 2 Tim 2:12; Rev 3:21). Until then, our spiritual experience, at its very best, is "in part."

The best of the gifts, like us, are narrow and temporary. As such, they are unsuitable as a point of emphasis. Those who focus on these abilities, given and taken at the discretion of God Himself, do the people of God a great disservice. They have underscored a preliminary aspect of the firstfruits, instead of accentuating the harvest. They have majored in the introduction rather than the fulness.

Spiritual Gifts Will Pass

Universally, believers acknowledge that "spiritual gifts" are targeted for extinction. The only question is, when. The Spirit categorically states, "But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away" (1 Cor 13:8, NASB). There really is no room for varying opinions on this. Further, due consideration of this reality forbids us to place an emphasis on what will pass away.

As a matter of observation, supernatural phenomenon began to noticeably wane in the historical record of the book of Acts. Further, the epistles do not contain lengthy doctrinal statements about supernatural gifts (as though any other kind were placed within the body). They were never set forth to the churches as a sign of advanced attainment. Wherever they occurred Divine purpose dictated their presence. They were never proclaimed to be integral to the faith-life itself. After all, mighty John the Baptist "did no miracle" (John 10:41). Not even Apostles could work miracles at will (2 Tim 4:20; 1 Tim 5:23; Phil 2:27). The beating, imprisonment, and general oppression of Paul confirm this to be the case (2 Cor 11:23-28).

The point is that these things began to wane long before the completion of the Scriptural canon. What was matured caused them to diminish--and that was believers themselves. As we grow up into Christ, life is lived on a higher plane, where less external confirmation is experienced. Thus, at the beginning of Peter and John's ministry, there was an abundance of protection, while the latter was attended by persecution and confinement. The same was experienced by the Apostle Paul. Extraordinary overt phenomenon has generally been associated with the beginning of new eras. Such things, as a rule, began to fade with the passing of time.

Still, that is not the thrust of our text. I only state this to underscore that all believers know spiritual gifts are, by their very nature, temporary. No one is to treat them as though they were eternal. And if they are not eternal, they cannot be superior, or yield the greatest benefit. The "Gospel" is eternal (Rev 14:6). Our "life" in Christ is eternal (John 17:2). The "Word" of God itself is eternal (Matt 24:35). For the believer, glory is "eternal" 2 Tim 2:10). The "things" upon which faith focuses are also "eternal" (2 Cor 4:17-18). The bodies we will possess in the resurrection are "eternal" (2 Cor 5:1). The "purpose" of God is "eternal" (Eph 3:11), as well as the "King" Who is implementing it, our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Tim 1:17). When the perfect comes, none of these things will be affected, nor will they pass away or become useless.

Do not miss the importance of things eternal! Among other things so classified are "salvation" (Heb 5:9), "redemption" (Heb 9:12), the "Spirit" (Heb 9:14), our "inheritance" (Heb 9:15), "consolation" (2 Thess 2:16), the new "covenant" (Heb 13:20), and the "kingdom" we have received (2 Pet 1:11).

The "perfect" will come when these "eternal" realities are realized in their fulness. The Scriptural canon is a means to preparing for that eventuality, but it is certainly not the eventuality itself. To refer to the compilation of Scripture as "when the perfect is come," falls far short of expressing the intent of this text. One of the earliest attempts to canonize Scripture was made by second century reformer Marcion. He cast the die for the Muratorian Canon of 170 A.D. Was that when "the perfect" came? That canon contained the essential New Testament as we know it. These books were actually composed over a mere half century--yet it took nearly a century to compile them. What is more arresting, Marcion's "canon" lacked "perfection," not including Hebrews, James, 2 Peter, and 3 John.

It is all too burdensome to my spirit, lacking any semblance of Divine reasoning. The "completed canon" view has not built up the saints. It has not strengthened the faith or hope of the people of God, nor has it increased their longing to be ever with the Lord. That circumstance is a resounding testimony as to its origin. it came from man, not from God.

PRAYER POINT: Father, through the Lord Jesus I thank You for governing the Kingdom through Your son and by the Holy Spirit. Grant me grace to see what You are doing.

-- Tomorrow: ENTERING THE HOUSE OF GOD CORRECTLY --