Working of Miracles

 

DEVOTION

THE 1^ST LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS

WORKING OF MIRACLES

1 Cor 12:4-11

4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.

7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 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.   11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.

NIV

We have come to this word translated as miraculous powers here. Other translations have used the word, working of miracles, or effecting miracles. The Greek word does directly translate as power, strength, or ability and is used as the inherent power that resides in a person that puts forth or exerts. This word is usually translated throughout the New Testament as power and most specifically the power of God. It would be right then to think in terms of this gift of the Spirit is the very power of the Spirit being manifested within a person for the common good, and this might be seen as some sort of miracle, which is beyond human ability or power. When we consider all the abilities and power of humankind, we have to think this is something very special. We have seen in the area of power, contests to decide the world’s strongest man, where these men must lift extreme amounts of weight far exceeding any normal person’s ability. We have seen doctors doing incredible feats using their surgical abilities, transplanting organs, opening a heart and replacing values, etc., and far beyond what most people could do.  We have witnessed other powers of man in all sorts of fields of science and industry, but nothing, no human power or ability will ever compare to the power of God. So then, when the Spirit manifests His power through someone, everyone will see and know this is not done by human effect, but that God is at work performing an actual miracle. The Catholic Church spends much time examining an event surrounding a person before conferring upon them the title, saint. They must have performed a miracle in order to gain that title. But, here within the New Testament church, the body of Christ, anyone, at any time, in any situation may be used by the Spirit to manifest His power through them, performing a miracle, so to benefit the common good. What the miracle would be is not for us to decide, nor can we guess when it might happen, or where. All we know is this gift when manifested will be noticed as beyond any human power or ability. We could think that when Peter and John spoke to that lamb man on their way to the temple and took him by the hand and he was healed, and went jumping and leaping and praising God, was the gift of healing. But it also could have been a miracle as it was seen by many, and therefore for the common good and many people believed. We could see as Peter stepped out of the boat when Jesus called to him as a gift of faith, but walking on the water could also be seen as a miracle, for whoever has done that since? What we know for sure, is we will know a miracle when we see it happen and we can be sure this gift is still at work within the Spirit and He only needs to manifest it within us when He decides. Let us be aware of His working within us with His gifts.