With Great Power...

Although I could be talking about NFL refs tonight, I am actually still watching football – and waiting for the red moon. So I'll share my column for today's church bulletin...

With Great Power...

Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines. – 1 Corinthians 12: 1-12

If your Spidey senses are tingling when you read 1 Corinthians 12 today, they should. We’re talking about major powers here. And, you know, responsibility.

Back in Biblical times, spiritual gifts were extraordinary powers bestowed on select individuals to convince unbelievers and to spread the gospel. We know now that those gifts – evidence of the Holy Spirit’s work – can appear in the life of any Christian, not just prophets and church leaders.

We also know (or should) that Spider-man’s Uncle Ben was pretty wise when he warned Peter Parker: “With great power comes great responsibility.”

I love this reading in Corinthians because it’s a reminder we all have gifts! But… wait for it… we can’t take credit for any of them. Humbling, right? The gifts Paul listed – from healing powers to prophecy and speaking in tongues – aren’t human skills. Not really. People can’t do these things unless the Holy Spirit is working in their lives. The danger, as Uncle Ben knew, is that the more power (or perceived power) people possess, the more they are tempted to use it for personal glory and personal gain. Not for God’s glory.

It’s sort of like a comic book battle between the superhero Holy Spirit and the villain Satan. Thank God that right always wins. In the Marvel Universe and ours.

Is God giving us these gifts to test us? I don’t think so. I believe He wants us to use them for same purpose as 2,000 years ago. Share his love, convince unbelievers, and spread the gospel. Makes sense. My “skill” as a writer is only a “gift” if I share it and it somehow touches someone in a positive manner. I’m sure you have gifts like that, too!

“With great power comes great responsibility” really has a simple meaning: If you have the ability to do something, make sure that you do it for the good of others. If you can stop something bad from happening, do it. But you don’t have to be a superhero to follow those words of wisdom. It’s possible to do small actions that have a big impact in the world.

Think of that when you share the peace today. You have the power right in your hands to bless others! Amen.