1 Corinthians 13:1

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal ~ 1 Corinthians 13:1

Paul had been speaking to the Corinthian church about spiritual gifts, and how they were to use their gifts to bring unity and edification to the larger body. You are all a part of one body, says Paul. Unfortunately, the Corinthians had begun to quarrel about whom had the greater gift – was it prophecy, or shepherding, or was it speaking in tongues? Paul began a lengthy written argument which, in the end stated he would show them the best gift to ask for and to receive – love was his answer. We can be highly gifted people, have all the prophetic knowledge in the world, we can be great teachers and leaders with wise strategic plans, but if we use these gifts to “lord it over” others, when they come to us for a glass of water and we refuse, our gifts are worthless. Love is the only way forward. Love is the only way to use what God has given us and bring others into the grace of Christ. Only by loving is life dispensed, preserved, and gained. Without love, life is undesirable. Before we begin to “preach” the Gospel to the world, we would do best to remember these words of wisdom. We cannot reach the world by words. We build relationships, we speak encouragement, we live in a way they desire, and then we have the privilege of speaking the Gospel of Love into their life. If we need a model of love, look to the Great Lover – Jesus Christ.

Devotion by Pastor Julia