Lessons In Truth - Lesson 11 - Annotation 4
Name the spiritual gifts enumerated by Paul in I Cor. 12:4-10 and explain each briefly. Is healing the greatest gift?
4. The nine spiritual gifts enumerated by Paul may be outlined as follows:
word of wisdom -- may be identified as the practical application of spiritual principles (laws of God).
word of knowledge -- the theoretical acceptance of spiritual principles (laws of God).
faith -- steadfastness and assurance in following spiritual principles (laws of God).
gifts of healings -- ability to erase mistakes that have been made, and to restore the body to its place in divine perfection.
workings of miracles -- showing how divine law works to produce good in our life so that it seems miraculous to the unenlightened.
prophecy -- the unveiling of new concepts of Truth; indicating what results may be expected through use of divine laws.
discernings of spirits -- ability to know the intent and purpose back of words and acts.
divers kinds of tongues -- this gift makes it possible to reach people in different states of consciousness; speaking in the language of love.
interpretation of tongues -- ability to understand the intended meanings back of what people say and do.
So we conclude that healing is not the greatest spiritual gift. In Divine Mind, God, there is no great or small either in ideas, persons, or gifts. Each has its own significance. According to our concepts, or our needs, at any given time, we value some of the underlying principles of God more than others.
"Heal the sick" (Matt. 10:8) was one of the commands that Jesus Christ gave to His disciples. Undoubtedly He had reference to the physical body, for He Himself did many mighty works along this line. But His injunction to "heal the sick" goes even deeper than restoring the physical body to wholeness. His mission was to awaken in man a consciousness of his oneness with the Father. When this realization is reached, we are able to accept and apply to our need whatever gift is required. Even today's psychiatrist knows that right action of the mind is vital to the perpetuation of a healthy body. If a consciousness of Truth has not been awakened in the one healed, the act of healing has not completely fulfilled its divine purpose. The one who would use the "gifts of healings" must know he is healing more than a physical organism.
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, self-control" (Gal. 5:22, 23).
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Preceding Entry: Is God willing to grant to all men deliverance from sin?
Following Entry: If a person has had healing power and it seemingly leaves him, how should he regard this change?
