You are a paintbrush. God uses the paintbrush in your hand (your gifts) to help change and transform others in the body of Christ. And God uses others in your life to make you like Christ.”  – Chip Ingram

God’s ultimate makeover is to produce the life of Christ

I found Chip Ingram’s analogy of spiritual gifts and paintbrushes interesting (Your Divine Design). This is my paraphrase:

• Some believers’ gifts are like a paint roller. Although they may not be as personal, they are more effective in a large group setting with their broad paint strokes.
• Some believers’ spiritual gifts are more like a refined artist, patiently painting detailed color and techniques on an individual’s canvas/heart.

You get the picture . . . . There are different paintbrushes for specific jobs; God uses different spiritual gifts for His specific purposes.

1 Corinthians 12:4-6 (NIV) says: There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.

Where does God do His extreme makeover?

• In His people—the church (Ephesians 2:18-22)

• In the believer’s heart (Ephesians 3:14-19)

How does God do His extreme makeover?

Jesus’ victory over sin, death, and Satan is witnessed through spiritual gifts in His church (Ephesians 4:7-13).

10 Principles for Understanding Spiritual Gifts

(Source: Chip Ingram)

1. Every Christian has one or more spiritual gifts.
2. Many believers have received more than one spiritual gift.
3. Spiritual gifts are given the moment of regeneration, but they may lie undiscovered and dormant for a long period of time.
4. Spiritual gifts can be abused and neglected, but if they are received at regeneration, it would appear that they cannot be lost.
5. Spiritual gifts are not the same as the gift of the Holy Spirit.
6. Spiritual gifts are not the same as the fruit of the Spirit.
7. Spiritual gifts are not the same as natural talents.
8. Some spiritual gifts are more useful in local churches than others because they result in greater edification of the body.
9. Charismata literally means “grace gifts”. These gifts are sovereignly and undeservedly given by the Holy Spirit.
10. Gifts are God’s spiritual equipment for effective service and edification of the body [church].

Do any of these 10 principles surprise you? If so, which ones? Why?

Related posts:

• God’s Plans—Who Me? What? Why?
• God’s Plans—Where? How?
• One For All
• All For One
• Sublime Design
• God’s Masterpiece