◄ What Does 1 Corinthians 13:2 Mean? ►

There are many gifts that are given through the Holy Spirit as He chooses, but unless those spiritual gifts are ministered to one another through love, they are of little significance and of no spiritual value at all. We read that the carnal Christians in Corinth, could not be considered spiritual believers. Paul addressed them as babes in Christ, even though they had an overabundance of spiritual gifts.

Indeed, they did not lack in any spiritual gift, but had been enriched in every way with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge. But unless a spiritual gift is administered in love, it is like a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.

Every gift that does not yield to the Spirit's promptings, is of little worth. Every spiritual gift from above that is not used to the glory of God, is of no worth whatsoever.

When spiritual gifts are self-centred or are used self-righteously for self-gratification, self-exultation, self-interest, or self-seeking, God is not glorified and the gift is rendered invalid. If the gift of prophecy, faith, knowledge, or understanding is not ministered in love, it means nothing. 

Even if we were endowed with prophetic utterances, enabled to understand all God's secret purposes, obtained all knowledge, or endowed with enough supernatural faith to move mountains, it is of no consequence without love for one another.

The Word of God teaches that we are to deny ourselves by keeping 'self' in the place of death so that we may love and serve the Lord our God in spirit and truth, and encourage and edify our brothers and sisters in Christ. We do this by allowing the love of God to flow into us, through us, and out to others. 

Let us love one another in spirit and truth, for love is of God, and he who loves as Christ loves, will both edify the Body of Christ and glorify our Father Who is in heaven.

Heavenly Father, keep me ever humble before Your throne of grace. Help me to use my spiritual gifts and graces to encourage and edify my brothers and sisters in Christ and to glorify Your name. May I live my life in love. In Jesus' name I pray, AMEN.