The Spiritual Gifts
The Bible teaches that every believer has been given spiritual gifts—unique ways the Holy Spirit works through us to build up the church and point people to Jesus. In this series, we’re exploring some of those gifts, what they mean, and how they work in the life of the church:
• The Gift of Faith (this post)
Together, these gifts remind us that God is still moving, still empowering His people, and still building His Kingdom through ordinary believers.
God Has Chosen People to Do Kingdom Work
When you said “yes” to Jesus, you didn’t just receive salvation—you also received a role in His Kingdom work. Scripture reminds us:
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”
(1 Peter 4:10 NIV)
Spiritual gifts aren’t for show. They’re God’s way of equipping ordinary people to accomplish His extraordinary purposes.
The Nature of the Gifts
The gifts never outshine the Giver.
They’re not about us. They’re about Jesus. As Paul says, no one can even confess “Jesus is Lord” except by the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:3).
No gift is greater than another.
The same Spirit, the same Lord, and the same God empower every gift (1 Corinthians 12:4–7). Each gift matters because each one serves the body of Christ in a unique way.
Gifts should always operate in unity.
Paul describes the church as one body made of many parts (1 Corinthians 12:13–14). Romans 12:3 reminds us not to think of ourselves more highly than we should, but to walk humbly, knowing God has given each of us a measure of faith.
When the gifts work together, the church is strong. When they compete, the church is divided.
The Gift of Faith
Among the gifts listed in Scripture is the gift of faith.
The spiritual gift of faith is more than just believing. It’s a supernatural ability to trust God, stand on His promises, and act in bold confidence, even when circumstances say otherwise.
Hebrews 11:1–2 defines it this way:
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.”
Faith isn’t passive—it requires action.
Faith in Action: The Centurion’s Story
In Matthew 8:5–13, a Roman centurion approached Jesus about his suffering servant. He didn’t need Jesus to come to his home; he simply believed that one word from Jesus would be enough.
Jesus was amazed by his faith, declaring:
“Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.” (Matthew 8:10 NIV)
And just as the centurion believed, his servant was healed.
That’s what the gift of faith looks like—confidence in God’s promises that moves us to bold action.
What the Gift of Faith Is Not
While faith empowers bold prayers, it’s important to understand what it’s not.
• It is not a mandate to get whatever we want.
• It is not a possession we wield for personal gain.
• It is not a command we issue to control God.
Jesus explained in Matthew 21:21–22 that faith makes the impossible possible, but it is always rooted in trust in God’s will, not in our own agenda. The gift of faith aligns us with the promises of God—not the other way around.
Confidence in God’s Promises
Jesus told His disciples in Matthew 16:19:
“I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
The gift of faith helps us walk in this authority, not as something we’ve earned, but as something God has graciously given.
When we live in the gift of faith, we stop living in fear of the unknown and start standing confidently in the promises of God.
Final Thought
The spiritual gifts remind us that God has chosen ordinary people—you and me—to do His Kingdom work. And the gift of faith in particular calls us to trust Him deeply, believe His Word fully, and step out boldly.
Faith is not about controlling outcomes. It’s about confidence in the One who holds the outcome.
Because in the end, the gift of faith is not about us. It’s about God, and He never fails.
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