City Life Starter

The WORD: 1 Corinthians 13:8-10 (NIV)

“Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is [d]perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.”

By Heather Mattingly

1 Corinthians 13; more commonly known as “the love chapter.” Thus far in the chapter, Paul has taught about how love is the primary reason behind every action, and what the characteristics of love are – not just human love, but divine love. Now, Paul teaches how love is also the goal of all things – even, and especially, spiritual gifts.

“Love never fails.”

We live in a world where rejection and failure are common. But this was not God’s original design. And there is something inside of us that abhors and detests rejection, abandonment, failure, and all of the other horrible things that go with them. That is because we know in our heart of hearts that these things were not meant to be; that this is not part of God’s Plan! (“…[God] has put eternity in their hearts…” Ecc 3:11). Only true love, which is God’s Love (not the love of a human), will never fail.

“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 that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.”

All of the spiritual gifts, as amazing as they are, will eventually cease or give way. But love never will – for love never fails! The spiritual gifts are given to you to make use of them during this imperfect time until the perfect time comes. Isn’t it amazing that the spiritual gifts, as miraculous as they are, are not perfect? But love is. The purpose of the gifts is love – perfect love. God’s love. God uses His spiritual gifts, and chooses to use them through us, imperfect humans, to express His perfect love to His world that He is restoring and reconciling back to Himself.

Application:

The Bible says to “…earnestly desire spiritual gifts,” (1 Cor 14:1). So, earnestly desire spiritual gifts, but realize that His gifts are not just for you. They are tools that He wants to use through you to love His children and bring them home to His arms. Above all of these gifts, as was written earlier in this chapter, the motivation, purpose, and goal is love. And the only way to learn more about what love truly is is to dive further into God Himself, the Author of Love. For “God is love” (1 John 4:8).

Dive into the spiritual gifts, but make every effort to immerse yourself into your Heavenly Father’s love, and let Him, through the power of His Holy Spirit, love through you.

“Love through me, Love of God;

Make me like thy clear air

Through which, unhindered, colors pass

As though it were not there.

Powers of the love of God,

Depths of the heart Divine,

O love that faileth not, break forth,

And flood this world of Thine.”

~Amy Carmichael (1867-1951; missionary to India)

PRAYER:

“Father, thank You for Your Holy Spirit. And thank You that You not only give us Yourself in Your Holy Spirit, but You also give us gifts through Your Spirit. Your gifts are wonderful, but I want the greater gift: I want You – Your love.

Please show me Your love, Father; I want more. I want to ‘..behold Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness” (Psalm 17:15). In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”