How do we reconcile the gift of faith only given to some versus the responsibility for all to have faith without which we are in sin and can’t please God?
As we have covered so far, faith isn’t optional. God demands it (Hebrews 11:6, Galatians 2:20, 2 Corinthians 5:7). Even so, this faith God demands for all to live by is not the same as the ministry grace of faith shown in 1 Corinthians 12.
In 1 Corinthian 12, the Bible lists nine spiritual “gifts”. The word “gift” is not in the original Greek language but has been supplied by translators to help with understanding. The Bible refers to these nine traits as manifestations of the Holy Spirit. In other words, these are ways through which the Holy Spirit chooses to manifest Himself. We don’t get to make the final decision as to which of these nine ways the Holy Spirit should manifest in us. He makes that call, just as we read, “But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills” (1 Corinthians 12:11). That is, each one of us has been given at least one of these nine spiritual anointings not because of our personal preferences but according to the will of the Holy Spirit. Moreover, these manifestations of the Holy Spirit are not given simply for our personal gratification or upliftment but for the sake of the church that everyone may profit from it: “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all” (1 Corinthians 12:7). Additionally, these manifestations are not in operation all the time. The Holy Spirit manifests Himself in these nine ways when He chooses – as He wills (1 Corinthians 12:11).
Among these nine manifestations of the Holy Spirit is the manifestation of faith. This is a supernatural manifestation of the Holy Spirit through certain individuals He chooses for the common good of His Church. We may see this manifestation of faith in operation in the raising of the dead, or in impossible situations that supernaturally turn around through the decree of one operating in this anointing or in the manifestation of out of the ordinary healing. However, God doesn’t command His church or anyone to live by this manifestation of faith to be saved (Ephesians 2:8, Acts 16:31) or please Him (Hebrews 11:6, Hebrews 10:38).
For anyone who would ever operate in this manifestation of faith, they should have first heard the word of God, believed as a result, and be saved. And by having the faith that comes from hearing God’s word and being saved thereby, the Holy Spirit can manifest Himself through them by this special faith. Moreover, God demands that His children walk by faith, not at certain times, but at all times – for to live or act without faith is to sin (Romans 14:23) and to shrink back from faith is to incur His displeasure (Hebrews 10:38). However, the manifestation of faith is not in operation all the time. The Holy Spirit chooses to manifest Himself as such as He wills (1 Corinthians 12:11), not when we choose. Furthermore, it is not given to everyone to operate in this special faith (1 Corinthians 12:11) so that if it was by this manifestation of special faith that we were to live, then only certain people can live righteously and please God, and only at certain times. And God would then become an unrighteous judge to judge as sinners and rebellious those He gave no faith to be righteous and to please Him. However, righteousness and justice are the foundation of God’s throne (Psalm 89:14).
So God has made provision for each of us to hear His Word and by hearing to receive faith to be saved and made righteous (Romans 10:17, Romans 3:22). It is this faith God commands that we live by (2 Corinthians 5:7) and grow in unto maturity (2 Thessalonians 1:3; James 1:2-4). It is by this faith that we please God (Hebrews 11:6) and receive from Him (Mark 11:22-24, James 1:6-7)
Dr. K. Omari
May 11, 2021