I
Corinthians 13, the beautiful
chapter describing love...
It is no accident that the love chapter is located between the two chapters given to the discussion of the gifts of the Spirit, because the gifts of the Spirit must always operate in the love of God! Love is the bottom line of Christianity. If one could "speak with the tongues of men and of angels and did not have love, he would profit nothing".
It is no accident that the love chapter is located between the two chapters given to the discussion of the gifts of the Spirit, because the gifts of the Spirit must always operate in the love of God! Love is the bottom line of Christianity. If one could "speak with the tongues of men and of angels and did not have love, he would profit nothing".
The nine gifts of the Spirit listed in I Corinthians 12 must work harmoniously
with the nine attributes of the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22, and be characterized by the nine descriptions of
love listed in I Corinthians 13.
Love is described as kind, patient, generous, humble, courteous, unselfish,
good-tempered, without guile, and sincere. In
order for the Spirit to function properly, each member of the body of Christ
must minister in love.
1
Corinthians 13 - Though I speak with the tongues
of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a
tinkling cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of
prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have
all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am
nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the
poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it
profiteth me nothing. 4 Charity suffereth long, and is
kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth
not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked,
thinketh no evil; 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but
rejoiceth in the truth; 7 Beareth all things, believeth
all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. 8 Charity
never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there
be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10 But
when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done
away. 11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I
understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put
away childish things. 12 For now we see through a glass,
darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even
as also I am known. 13 And now abideth faith, hope,
charity, these three; but the greatest
of these is charity.
Galatians 5:22-23 - But the
fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness,
faith, 23 Meekness,
temperance: against such there is no law.
"If you’ll function in the Fruit of The Spirit, you won’t find it so
complicated to operate in the Gifts of The Spirit". - Joel Urshan
Ladies and gentlemen, we’ve been called to a
Holy calling!
2 Timothy 1:9 says, Who hath saved us, and called us with an
holy calling, not according to our
works, but according to his own purpose and grace..
1
Corinthians 12:7 says, But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit
withal.
The most obvious purpose concerning the operation of the spiritual
gifts is to profit or bring the benefits
of the Kingdom of God to persons in need! 14:12 says, Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that
ye may excel to the edifying of the church.
Our passion must become a
persona easily used by the Holy Spirit to help those who are reaching out for
God!
