Our Daily Dose
Day 236 of 365 · Week 34 · The Wisdom of Jesus
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The Importance of Love in Exercising Gifts
1 Corinthians 13
Scripture · 1 Corinthians 13
1If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a ringing gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have absolute faith so as to move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and exult in the surrender of my body, but have not love, I gain nothing. 4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no account of wrongs. 6Love takes no pleasure in evil, but rejoices in the truth. 7It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be restrained; where there is knowledge, it will be dismissed. 9For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10but when the perfect comes, the partial passes away. 11When 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 set aside childish ways. 12Now we see but a dim 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. 13And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love; but the greatest of these is love.
Berean Standard Bible (BSB), public domain.
While not part of 1 Corinthians 12, Paul’s famous chapter on love (1 Corinthians 13) immediately follows his discussion of spiritual gifts and is essential for understanding how these gifts should be exercised. Paul emphasizes that love is the greatest of all virtues and must be the foundation for using any spiritual gift.
Exegesis and Study
- Love as the Foundation: Paul makes it clear that the exercise of spiritual gifts without love is meaningless. No matter how impressive or powerful a gift may be, if it is not motivated and guided by love, it is
worthless. Love is the essential ingredient that gives value and effectiveness to the use of gifts within the Church.
- The Nature of Love: Paul’s description of love in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 serves as a guide for how believers should relate to one another. Love is patient, kind, not envious or boastful, not proud or rude, not self-seeking or easily angered, and keeps no record of wrongs. This kind of love reflects the character of Christ and should be evident in every interaction within the Church.
Practical Application
- Practicing Love in All Things: In every aspect of church life, love should be the guiding principle. Whether using spiritual gifts, serving others, or engaging in relationships, love must be the motivation and the goal. Practically, this might involve checking our motives, ensuring that we are acting out of genuine care for others rather than seeking recognition or power.
- Cultivating a Loving Church Culture: Creating a culture of love within the Church requires intentional effort. This can be done by prioritizing relationships, fostering an environment of mutual respect and care, and addressing conflicts or misunderstandings with grace and forgiveness. When love is the foundation, the Church becomes a place where people feel valued, supported, and encouraged to grow in their faith.
Prayer Guide
- Pray for a Heart of Love: Ask God to fill your heart with His love, enabling you to exercise your gifts and serve others with genuine care and compassion. Pray for the
ability to love others as Christ loves you, especially in challenging situations.
- Pray for a Loving Church Community: Reflect on how your church can grow in love. Pray for a spirit of love to permeate every aspect of your church’s life, from worship and teaching to service and fellowship. Ask God to help your church be a place where love is evident in every interaction and relationship.
This devotional is one day from Our Daily Dose, a 365-day journey through Scripture by Armstrong & Zanele Ogwuche.
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Read the full book in the KOS Library →
Scripture is shown in public-domain translations, so you can share it freely. The study text is from Our Daily Dose by Armstrong & Zanele Ogwuche.
A daily devotional from KingdomOS. Share freely; every card links back here.
A daily devotional from KingdomOS. Share freely; every card links back here.