Desire The Higher Gifts

There is a question I have for you. We know that in the Christian thinking, it is mostly thought that each gift of the Holy Spirit as well as different ministries, such as Apostle, Prophet,  Evangelist, and Teacher are giving by the Lord to His church his people. But, in verse 31 of 1 Cor chapter 12 it said —–“earnestly DESIRE THE HIGHER GIFTS—–” And there is another Scripture that I don’t recall right now, that says “that he who desires the office of Bishop, desires a good thing”. So, my question is, how much depends on us in these gifting’s and  how much depends on the Lord and His Holy Spirit? Are these things done simply by the sovereign will of God, or are we able to help in His choosing?

1 Corinthians 12:1-31 (NLT2)

1  Now, dear brothers and sisters, regarding your question about the special abilities the Spirit gives us. I don’t want you to misunderstand this.

7  A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.

11  It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have.

31  So you should earnestly desire the most helpful gifts. But now let me show you a way of life that is best of all.

Acts 2:4 (KJV)

4  And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

{ In order to have the gifts of Holy Spirit in operation, we must be filled with H.S. with the evidence of speaking with other tongues}

1 Co 12:7-1

But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

the word of wisdom;

  word of knowledge

faith

   gifts of healing

working of miracles;

    prophecy

discerning of spirits;

   divers kinds of tongues;

interpretation of tongues:

1 Corinthians 12:11 (KJV) 11  But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit

                                     

        dividing to every man severally as he will

I believe that as individuals we will recognize the gift  or gifts and the calling that God gives each.  29  Are we all apostles? Are we all prophets? Are we all teachers? Do we all have the power to do miracles? 30  Do we all have the gift of healing? Do we all have the ability to speak in unknown languages? Do we all have the ability to interpret unknown languages? Of course not!

I agree with the KJV as I have seen several different gifts of Holy Spirit in operation in one person.

I will use my mother as a reference, as she operated in all 9 gifts at various times, yet she said above all gifts she desired  the gift of discernment.

In light of the reference  scripture,  The Holy Spirit gives the gifts to man. Ro 11:29 the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.

Yet it is the responsibility of man to operate in the gifts they have when directed by Holy Spirit to do so.  1 Tim 4:14 instructs us not to neglect the spiritual gift that we have received.

Mathew 25:15 (NLT2) 15  He gave five bags of silver to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the last—dividing it in proportion to their abilities.  I urge each one do not hide your gifts or calling !  We are to utilize the abilities and gifts that God has given to each one !

Paul