Follow after love and earnestly desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. 1 Corinthians 14:1 WEB
The previous chapter of Paul’s letter emphasizes the importance of love. In it, he uses glowing terms to describe love and teaches that love is greater than hope and even greater than faith. Paul makes clear that spiritual gifts without love prove inadequate and even destructive.
God is love. As we read in 1 John 4:16, “We know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and he who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him. WEB” Christ instructed his disciples to love saying in John 13:34, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, just like I have loved you; that you also love one another. WEB”
Paul’s directive to follow after love is consistent with the teaching of Jesus. When asked what the most important commandment is, Jesus replies in Mark 30-31, “you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the first commandment. The second is like this, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. WEB”
Desire Spiritual Gifts
Paul, like Christ, placed prime importance on love. Also, Paul urges the followers of Christ to sincerely desire spiritual gifts. Without love, spiritual gifts are meaningless or worse, but with love, spiritual gifts help the believer serve God and man.
Gifts, by definition, are given. A prophet receives this gift directly from God. Paul, specifically mentioning the spiritual gift of prophecy, directs the early church to rely on God to inspire the congregation with words revealed to the leadership of the church by the Holy Spirit.
Saying, “follow after love and earnestly desire spiritual gifts,” Paul directs his reader to sincerity and righteousness. Concerning prophecy, Paul encourages the faithful with these words from 1 Thessalonians 5:20-121, “Don’t despise prophecies. Test all things, and hold firmly that which is good. WEB”
Without sincerity and love, there is the danger of false prophecy. And so, Paul reasonably expects the church to test a word of prophecy. It is important to ask, do these words glorify God and Christ? Is it consistent with scripture? Is this prophecy rooted in God’s love? And also, did these words come to pass?
Prayer: “Father God, thank you for the wonderful gifts you give the faithful. Help me along the way as I follow after love. In Jesus’ name – Amen”
Yesterday’s Devotional: God’s Glory
