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. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13:8-12, NIV).
When Paul wrote to the Corinthians about spiritual gifts, his letter was written to encourage and instruct the church in Corinth to work together as a body, utilizing the gifts of the Holy Spirit to bring glory to God and edification to the church. So why does Paul remind us about love after speaking of the gifts? The love Paul speaks of is the Greek word “agape”, which refers to good will, brotherly love, benevolence.
Paul reminds us that the gifts of the Holy Spirit are to be used in brotherly love (or good will). That means they are used out of grace, glorifying God, not us. The whole point of the gifting is to show the love of God to the world. Paul tells the Corinthians that when Christ returns, the gifts will stop functioning. Why? Because love will be perfected when Christ returns. If love is perfected, then the gifts are no longer needed to bring the love of God to others.
When you discover your gifting or your ministry, remember that God called you and gifted you in order to bring the Love of Christ to the fallen World. We are to bring glory to God in all we do. May your ministry be a living testimony to God’s grace and may Christ be glorified through your faithful life devoted and centered upon Him.
Be blessed in all you do!
Your brother in Christ,
Tim Vanderwater
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13:8-12, NIV).
When Paul wrote to the Corinthians about spiritual gifts, his letter was written to encourage and instruct the church in Corinth to work together as a body, utilizing the gifts of the Holy Spirit to bring glory to God and edification to the church. So why does Paul remind us about love after speaking of the gifts? The love Paul speaks of is the Greek word “agape”, which refers to good will, brotherly love, benevolence.
Paul reminds us that the gifts of the Holy Spirit are to be used in brotherly love (or good will). That means they are used out of grace, glorifying God, not us. The whole point of the gifting is to show the love of God to the world. Paul tells the Corinthians that when Christ returns, the gifts will stop functioning. Why? Because love will be perfected when Christ returns. If love is perfected, then the gifts are no longer needed to bring the love of God to others.
When you discover your gifting or your ministry, remember that God called you and gifted you in order to bring the Love of Christ to the fallen World. We are to bring glory to God in all we do. May your ministry be a living testimony to God’s grace and may Christ be glorified through your faithful life devoted and centered upon Him.
Be blessed in all you do!
Your brother in Christ,
Tim Vanderwater
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