My dear friends,

People of God: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Saviour. As I pen my final pastor’s desk of this chapter of my ministry, I wish to remind you that every individual in this community has an indispensable part to play. My family and I will continue to give God thanks for you, your family, and the gifts the Holy Spirit has bestowed upon you. Now in today’s Epistle, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, Paul addresses the variety of gifts given by the Holy Spirit in the Christian church at Corinth. Some of the members have been overemphasizing the importance of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, especially that of speaking in tongues. Paul stresses that God loves all of us and gives his same Spirit of love to all members, but he respects our individualities.

Beloved, the gifts come from a single Author, and are given for the good of the whole church. As mentioned earlier, every individual has an indispensable part to play in the life of the Church. We are different from one another: “There are different works (ministries, gifts) but the same God who accomplishes all of them in everyone. The important thing is not which gifts are most impressive but which are best to build up the Church.

Yet there are things more important still. Three qualities of life (faith, hope, love) will outlive all the gifts. And these are for everyone. Without them no one is anything, and Christian love outshines all. This is the best way of all; this is what we should really set our hearts on. My friends as you seek to identify and utilize the gifts God has given you, make loving God and loving fellow Christians your highest priorities. The grace of our lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you always.

                                                             Fr. Raliville Christian     

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