Reflection: “If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.” I Corinthians 13:1-3
Response:
The gifts of the Spirit are needed as they are powerful for the edification and empowerment of people. The gifts were given for the unity of the Body of Christ for the equipping and building up of the saints for the work of the ministry. But operating in the gifts of the Spirit without them being motivated by love can defeat the gifts’ purpose and use.
Love should be a motivator, which when in place prevents impure intentions and judging attitudes. Paul describes absence of it as a “noisy gong or a clanging cymbal”, i.e., all racket and clatter with no real meaning. If we possess spiritual gifts without the demonstration of Christ’s love, then we are less effective. Spiritual identity is not linked to the quantity or power of one’s gifts, but rather, linked to Christ’s love for us through the blessing of His gifts.
Live exceptionally- in balance, freedom, and rest. ™ Spiritual gifts strengthen and edify us, but they are only partial. They do not reveal everything but only in part. However, the fruit of love not only strengthens and edifies, but is absolute. Love is the only gift that is permanent and supersedes all others.
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