“But earnestly desire the best gifts.
And yet I show you a more excellent way.”
1 Corinthians 12:31
Beloved, we have an identifying mark which should be easily visible to all those around us -
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
John 13: 34-35
Sometimes I notice our interactions with each other seem so impatient, so argumentative, as if demanding to be recognised as “right” alone is more important than simply and humbly expressing our opinions (which though sincerely held, may be quite wrong) while simultaneously expressing His love.
Beloved, let’s meditate again on ‘the more excellent way’ of which Paul so beautifully and astonishingly wrote, inspired by the Holy Spirit. Let’s determine not be become unprofitable mere noise, even though we may be accurately expressing deep things of God.
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.
And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.
Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
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 perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.
When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.
And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”
1 Corinthians 13