Tag: way of love
Love’s Excellent Ways!
Scripture reading for November 25th: 1st Corinthians 11-14
Many people get excited about the spiritual gifts. God gives each person gifts through the Holy Spirit that are to be used to build up the body of Christ. (1st Corinthians 12:7) These gifts may be characterized in three general categories. There are those gifts that impart knowledge–word of wisdom, word of knowledge and prophesy. Other gifts are used to do something: gifts of healing, miraculous powers, and faith. Another type of gift is used to reveal something: discerning of spirits, tongues, and interpretation of tongues. These gifts are given by the Lord through the Holy Spirit as He determines they are needed. (1st Corinthians 12:11)
In addition to these manifestations of the Spirit, God has also appointed different offices to people to help with the work of ministry. Some are apostles, sent to evangelize and plant churches. Others are prophets and teachers who equip the body for ministry. Others work miracles and facilitate divine healing. Others may be good at administration and management. Still others speak in tongues and others interpret. (1st Corinthians 12:28-31) God places these gift-people in the body just as He sees fit! (1st Corinthians 12:18)
We are encouraged to eagerly desire the greater gifts! But Paul cites the most excellent pursuit–the way of love! (1st Corinthians 13) We can have any number of the gifts, but without love they are empty and useless. God Himself is love! He is patient and kind with us. He is not easily angered, but is always ready to forgive. He delights in truth and righteousness. He is a God of hope and His love never fails!
He encourages us to love like He does. Love is the greatest gift that we can ever have and give! We must first follow the way of love and then desire the gifts. (1st Corinthians 14:1) Are you following the way of love? Are you taking time to love God and allow His love to flow through you? Invite the Holy Spirit to release a fresh ability to love God and others in your heart today.
Gifts that build up Christ’s Body!
Scripture reading for August 21st: 1st Corinthians 14:1-17
“Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit. But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort.” (1st Corinthians 14:1-3)
As we seek to live in love, we can eagerly desire spiritual gifts. The one gift that Paul commends to these believers is the gift of prophecy. The gift of prophecy that Paul talked about was not the giving of personal words of knowledge or wisdom to individuals, but the gift of expounding God’s will and word in a manner that the church could understand. Prophecy always is in line with the word of God. It is intended by God to comfort or encourage the recipients and strengthen them for God’s service.
The Corinthians were evidently fascinated by speaking in other tongues. They were all speaking in tongues at once and people visiting their meetings were confused. Not all the tongues were being interpreted and this left the church without understanding of what was God was saying. This was not acting in the way of love! Paul told them to continue to speak in tongues for their own edification, but in the church to prophesy so that all might be edified.
According to Paul, we can and should pray and sing in other tongues. When a person prays or sings in another tongue, they are speaking by the Holy Spirit directly to God. This is a good thing. But in the church, people who do not have the gifts will not understand what you are saying. “Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church.” (1st Corinthians 14:12)
If pubic tongues were given, they must be interpreted. Two or three could speak, one at a time and then one must interpret. In this way, all could be edified. When tongues were used with interpretation, the same effect as prophecy would occur. God would use that combination to give a sign to unbelievers and to edify believers. All could profit and order would confirm God’s presence to all. (1st Corinthians 14:13-17) Are you seeking the spiritual gifts? Do you seek be used to build up the body of Christ?
The way of Love
Scripture reading for November 24th: 1st Corinthians 11-14
God gives each person gifts through the Holy Spirit that are to be used to build up the body of Christ. (1st Corinthians 12:7) These gifts may be characterized in three general categories. There are those gifts that impart knowledge–word of wisdom, word of knowledge and prophesy. Other gifts are used to do something: gifts of healing, miraculous powers, and faith. Another type of gift is used to reveal something: discerning of spirits, tongues, and interpretation of tongues. These gifts are given by the Lord through the Holy Spirit as He determines they are needed. (1st Corinthians 12:11)
In addition to these manifestations of the Spirit, God has also appointed different offices to help with the work of ministry. Some are apostles, sent to evangelize and plant churches. Others are prophets and teachers who equip the body for ministry. Others work miracles and facilitate divine healing. Others may be good at administration and management. Still others speak in tongues and others interpret. (1st Corinthians 12:28-31) God places these gift-people in the body just as He sees fit! (1st Corinthians 12:18)
We are all encouraged to eagerly desire the greater gifts! But Paul cites the most excellent pursuit as the way of love! (1st Corinthians 13) We can have any number of the gifts, but without love they are empty and useless. Love is the vital ingredient because the gifts must be used with love and compassion. God’s heart is to love and heal, not just to do something! God Himself is love! He is patient and kind with us. He is not easily angered, but is always ready to forgive. He forgives and never keeps a record of the wrongs done ! He delights in truth and righteousness. His love never fails!
He encourages us to love like He does. Love is the greatest gift that we can ever have and give! We must first follow the way of love and then desire the gifts. (1st Corinthians 14:1) Take time today to check your heart. Are you following the way of love? How’s your love life with God? Are you taking time to love Him and allowing His love to flow through you? Invite the Holy Spirit to release a fresh ability to love others in your heart today.
The Way of Love!
Scripture reading for November 25th: 1st Corinthians 11-14
Many people get excited about the spiritual gifts. God gives each person gifts through the Holy Spirit that are to be used to build up the body of Christ. (1st Corinthians 12:7) These gifts may be characterized in three general categories. There are those gifts that impart knowledge–word of wisdom, word of knowledge and prophesy. Other gifts are used to do something: gifts of healing, miraculous powers, and faith. Another type of gift is used to reveal something: discerning of spirits, tongues, and interpretation of tongues. These gifts are given by the Lord through the Holy Spirit as He determines they are needed. (1st Corinthians 12:11)
In addition to these manifestations of the Spirit, God has also appointed different offices to people to help with the work of ministry. Some are apostles, sent to evangelize and plant churches. Others are prophets and teachers who equip the body for ministry. Others work miracles and facilitate divine healing. Others may be good at administration and management. Still others speak in tongues and others interpret. (1st Corinthians 12:28-31) God places these gift-people in the body just as He sees fit! (1st Corinthians 12:18)
We are encouraged to eagerly desire the greater gifts! But Paul cites the most excellent pursuit–the way of love! (1st Corinthians 13) We can have any number of the gifts, but without love they are empty and useless. Love is a vital ingredient because the gifts must be used with love and compassion. God’s heart is to love and heal, not just to do something! God Himself is love! He is patient and kind with us. He is not easily angered, but is always ready to forgive. He forgives and never keeps a record of the wrongs done ! He delights in truth and righteousness. He is a God of hope and His love never fails!
He encourages us to love like He does. We must grow up in our faith in order to do that. Love is the greatest gift that we can ever have and give! We must first follow the way of love and then desire the gifts. (1st Corinthians 14:1) Take time today to check your heart. Are you following the way of love? How’s your love life with God? Are you taking time to love Him and allowing His love to flow through you? Would people say that you were full of the love of God? Invite the Holy Spirit to release a fresh ability to love others in your heart today.