March 28, 2025 - 1 Corinthians 12:6,7 - "The Church: Christ's Blood-Bought Possession"

1 Corinthians 12:6,7

"And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal."

God is sovereign in the redemption, justification, and sanctification of His people. All spiritual gifts, callings, and workings are divinely appointed. In this light, 1 Corinthians 12:6-7 serves as a profound testament to God’s sovereign distribution of spiritual gifts within His church: “And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal." 

This passage affirms that all operations within the body of Christ are orchestrated by God Himself, according to His sovereign will. The phrase "it is the same God which worketh all in all" underscores His divine prerogative in bestowing spiritual gifts, leaving no room for human merit or self-determination. The Spirit’s manifestations are not randomly assigned, nor are they earned; rather, they are given for the edification of the body, ensuring that each believer serves according to the purpose established by God before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4-5). This truth harmonizes with all that the Scriptures teach on God's sovereignty in all things as revealed in Romans 9:16: "So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy."

Whatever some may think of the Church of the Lord Jesus, with all of her sins, troubles, and upheavals, it remains His Church. The imperfections and struggles within it do not negate the reality that it is the redeemed body that He has bought with His precious blood. Christ’s sacrifice was not in vain; it was effectual, obtaining the salvation and justification of His people. Upon the completion of His redemptive work, God the Father justified His elect, declaring them righteous in Christ: “Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.” (Romans 5:9). The same Church that Christ redeemed, the Spirit now sustains, preserving every believer until the final day: “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.” (Ephesians 1:13-14).

Diversity and Unity in the Body of Christ

The Church is a body composed of believers from every tribe, tongue, and nation. Though there are diversities of people, there are also diversities of operations in the manifestation of God’s power. It is God’s work to reveal Christ in His people. Some are granted the word of wisdom, others the word of knowledge (1 Corinthians 12:8), but both gifts are founded upon Christ crucified and flow to the members through His sacrifice unto death on their behalf. He is the Wisdom of God, as Paul declares: “But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:24). The knowledge of Christ in all His attributes—as Savior and Substitute—is a gift of God's grace and the effect of His finished work.

Faith: A Gift from the Spirit

To another is given faith, yet it is the same Spirit Who bestows it. This faith is not self-generated but is connected entirely to Christ and His redeeming work at the cross. It is the persuasion that salvation and righteousness are found singularly in Him. No believer can boast in their faith, wisdom, or knowledge as if they contributed to it; all these gifts come from God alone. “For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?” (1 Corinthians 4:7).

“And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all” (v. 6). This affirms that it is God alone who determines and energizes all Spiritual workings according to His sovereign will (Ephesians 1:11).  “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal”  (v .7). This underscores that the Spirit sovereignly bestows gifts for the edification of the church, not based on human merit but according to divine purpose (Romans 12:6; 1 Corinthians 4:7). All Spiritual gifts are granted by God’s sovereign will for the Glory of the LORD Jesus and the good of His people alone (Ephesians 4:7-12).

God the Father is the Source of all wisdom and knowledge in Christ. The Spirit communicates Christ in truth to those that He redeemed, causing them to see, believe, and rest in His finished work alone. Every gift given is designed to produce praise, glory, and honor to Him alone. May we, as members of His blood-bought Church, continually glorify Him for the grace bestowed upon us, and rejoice in the work of salvation that is entirely of the LORD.

To God alone be the glory!