Thought for the Morning
1 Corinthians 12:31 But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.
There are four places in scripture where spiritual gifts are revealed (1Co 12, Rom12, Eph 4 and 1Pet 4). The reason for the gifts is given in Eph. 4.16, “…according to the effective working by which every part (each one of us) does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.”
All believers have a Spiritual gift or gifts from the Lord. Sometimes if you ask a fellow believer, do they know what their gift is, they hesitate in answering. But we know because we see it exercised.
Paul in his teaching on the “gifts of the Spirit” reveals a “more excellent way” What is that way?
If a gift is not exercised in love it is nothing! Paul goes on to expand on this in 1Cor 13. (the love chapter). “ Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never fails.” (1 Cor 13:4-8)
The KJV uses the word “charity” (Agape). Agape love is the giving of one’s self to another. It doesn’t yield any personal reward to the giver. It is putting others before yourself.
John 13:34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love (Agape) one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. “A more excellent way” Just a thought for the morning.
Carl