PASTORS' DAILY DEVOTIONAL
Feb
28

Gifts vs. Love

John Tilton

Scripture
1 Corinthians 13:8-12 Love never fails. 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 completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When 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 put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a 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.
Observation
Paul places love far above prophecy, tongues and knowledge, which in them are good, however, they are not everlasting and eternal, if we follow the attributes of love being kind, patient, forgiving and so forth. Paul gives us insight that love as portrayed and exampled by Christ is eternal and complete, less what we may tend to portray as attributes of God that actually are temporal in comparison. The key is that exemplifying the love of Christ will be ultimately made complete when we see Jesus face to face. Thus, although we are blessed to receive the gifts of the Spirit, Christ’s love and living his love is superior and will be made complete when we see Him face to face.
Application
There are many times in my life when I begin a new experience, avocation, interest of learning of a new subject that in the initial and small parts that I experience and learn, I can tend to think I got it, know it all and even feel like am on the was to becoming and expert or master. There are also times that I will take the gifts that God have blessed me with and place them on a pedestal of how good and great I am because of those gifts, even at times saying that they are a gift from God and crediting Him for what He’s doing in my life, but pride fully turning His gift into promoting me. Yet it is God’s give of love in my relationships, words, actions and character that should supersede the gifts that I am blessed with. The scriptures state it clearly that I can all things. Yet, if I do not have love, they are all in vain.
Prayer
Lord, I am so blessed by the gifts and abilities that you’ve given me and blessed me with. However, may those gifts and abilities enable me to bless, minister to and support others on your foundation of love that is patient, kind, forgiving and of your character that I seek to take root in me.

Devotions for February 28

Numbers 24,25,26,27
1 Corinthians 13

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