The Gift of Love (October 11, 2015 Bulletin Article)

 

 

"There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them...Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good... Now eagerly desire the greater gifts. And yet I will show you the most excellent way. If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal...Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away." (1Corinthians 12:4-13:8)

 

In the first century God helped "bind together" the church by distributing various spiritual gifts among its members (especially the church at Corinth--1 Corinthians 1:7.) Each member was meant to use their gift "for the common good," to serve one another. The Corinthian Christian's immaturity was on display in the fact that they were using their gifts, not to serve others, but to serve and boast about themselves.  That is why the apostle Paul had to write the thirteenth chapter of First Corinthians, the famous "love" chapter--for Paul was warning these babes in Christ that the time would come when the "miraculous gifts" would come to an end, and if they were to continue to serve each other in the way God intended, they would have to learn the way of love. Today those spiritual gifts mentioned by Paul have passed away. But the greatest gift of the Spirit is still available to mature believers today--the gift of love. Are you sharing this gift with the body of Christ today?