The Love Chapter

Before you start todays devotional, ask the Lord to use it to grow you up in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Spiritual gifts are that special capability His Spirit gave you at the time you were saved. Yes, that’s right—you were given a “birthday” present: The ability to accomplish something those who don’t have God’s Spirit can’t do. Your gift—energized by the Holy Spirit, directed by and used by the Lord Jesus Christ—glorifies Him when you use it to point people to Jesus.

If you are a child of God, you have a gift. You are a member of the body of believers, and now you are equipped to build up the body. Your spiritual gift enables you to serve the Lord by serving the body.

A spiritual gift is a way you personally serve God best. It’s more than serving the Lord with your natural abilities, instead, it proves the Spirit is the One at work in you.

What do these gifts look like?

Some believers are given insight into God’s Word, some are given a discerning spirit. Faith, the substance of things hoped for, is also a gift. Some gifts were given for a season. Many miracles happened to launch the gospel movement, but today we see greater things—we see God using us.

The gift to “prophesy” means to declare God’s will; to preach the Word of God and then trust God to use that Word through His Spirit. Some have been given the gift of tongues (the ability to use known languages).

One of the most thrilling things in life is to find out what God wants you to do. What an adventure to actually do it!

Why are these gifts given? To serve the body. How should these gifts be exercised? In love—and only the Spirit of God can do that in us. This discussion transitions to 1 Corinthians 13, the love chapter, because only by the Spirit’s power can we love and serve God and each other.

This great chapter pictures God’s love. More than emotional love, this love chooses its object—in will, heart, and mind. Linger long over how love demonstrates itself:

Love is patient and kind. It’s impossible without kindness.

Love recognizes inequalities between us but is satisfied.

Love doesn’t parade around. It doesn’t brag.

Love doesn’t insist on its own way. It’s the secret of service.

Love isn’t easily set off. It doesn’t have a bad temper.

Love doesn’t thrive on gossip. Nor does it keep score of others’ sins. Love puts up an umbrella for others.

Love trusts God always (even when people fail). It looks for the best and remains strong through testing.

Love never fails. It abides. It’s permanent. There will be a time when we don’t need prophecies anymore. Tongues will stop. Knowledge will vanish. The object of our faith will be fulfilled. All our hopes will become reality. There will be nothing left to hope for, so hope will disappear. There will be no need for faith. However, love will keep going. Faith, hope, and love—"but the greatest of these is love,” God’s kind of love in us.

It may seem like this kind of love is an abstract concept, but it’s not. This chapter on love is a biography of Jesus Christ. He will continue to love us right to the end (see John 13:1). His is an eternal love. Jesus Christ will never stop loving you.

1. What does it tell us about ourselves that every single believer has a gift to contribute that the rest of the body of Christ needs? What contribution do you need to make?

2. The gifts aren’t just given by the Holy Spirit; they are also how the Holy Spirit works in our lives. How can you willingly allow the Spirit to lead in this area?

3. What do you think was the Apostle Paul’s purpose in making it clear that, even as fantastic as some of the spiritual gifts are, love is superior to them all?

Additional Resources

Listen to Dr. J. Vernon McGee’s complete teachings on 1 Corinthians 12:1-7, 1 Corinthians 12:8-31 and 1 Corinthians 12:31—14:2.