Journey of Faith: Daily Reflections for Strength and Hope

FRIDAY, 24 MAY 2024

TEXT: I Corinthians 13:1-13

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.

2: If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.

3: If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

4: Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

5: It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

6: Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

7: It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8: 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.

9: For we know in part and we prophesy in part,

10: but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears.

11: 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.

12: 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.

13: And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

(New International Version Holy Bible)

TOPIC: WITHOUT LOVE, ALL IS A WASTE

The Corinthian church had members who had different spiritual gifts. But those who were gifted for miracles, speaking in tongues, prophecy healing, etc, thought they were better than the others.

These are still being held in higher esteem than those endowed with the gifts that build and strengthen the church such as teaching, wisdom, faith, discernment, helping the needy, administration, etc. But the moment there is no agreement about the way we view these gifts, love cannot operate.

Paul challenged the Corinthian believers to note that a believer's spiritual gift is useless and profits no one when it is administered for selfish and personal gain.

Many 21st century believers' claim to supernatural spiritual gifts are false and expressions of demonic powers that are used for making money.

A true child of God accepts their spiritual giftedness with humility and total commitment to using them for the common good on members of the body of Christ, irrespective of denomination.

QUESTION: What motivates you into using your spiritual gifts?

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, help me to recognize that my gifts are meant to be used to serve You and to add value to the world, in Jesus name. Amen.