Monday Morning Devotion #289

Focal Passage for 2010:

“And above all things have fervent love for one another, for love will cover a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8 (NKJV)

Weekly Passage:

“And though I have the gift of prophesy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I can remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13:2

In the previous devotion, we began our journey into 1 Corinthians 13:1-8. Over the next several weeks, we will dive deep into this passage and seek to discern Biblical love. Our focus this year has been, and continues to be, learning to love others as Christ loves us. As I have shared before, my definition of love differs from God’s definition of love. God is teaching me that HE is the authority on all things. In light of that truth, if my definition is different than His, my definition is wrong!! “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:28-29).

Reread our focal passage once more. “And though I have the gift of prophesy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I can remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.” I love this verse because it really draws our attention to the importance of not elevating ourselves above others. At first glance, I did not see this but as I began to study more in depth, the Lord really convicted me. Sometimes as Christians, we may be tempted to focus more on the spiritual gifts that the Lord has given us rather than on the people HE has called us to serve through those gifts. The Nelson Study Bible explains that “the Scriptures list five speaking gifts: prophesy, teaching, encouragement, the word of wisdom, and the word of knowledge. In addition, seven serving gifts are named: helps, mercy, faith, discernment of spirit, leadership, managing, and giving” (p. 1902).

No matter what our gifts may be, we must remember that God has blessed us with those abilities so that we can bless others in a way that will direct them to the Lord. A beautiful example of this is found within the covenant between God and the nation of Israel. Israel is the chosen nation of God. HE called them as His own and created them to be the nation in which HE revealed Himself to all the other nations of the world. The Old Testament records time and time again of God’s overflowing provision, protection, and blessings upon His people. That calling was not because they were better than the other nations. That calling was rooted and established in God’s desire to use them in a mighty way for His glory. The nation of Israel did not earn or deserve those gifts but God gave them freely so that others might come to know Him.

My Friend, so often, I fall short in this area. I get so focused on the act of serving that I forget why I am serving (to honor the Lord God and point others to Christ). I can sometimes focus so much on myself, my abilities, my schedule, my purpose, my responsibilities that I forget that main objective. The spiritual gifts that God has given me are NOT ABOUT ME!!! They are completely and totally about Him and Him alone. No matter what HE allows me to do, His purpose is always for His glory NOT MINE!!! If we truly want to honor the Lord and lead others to Christ, we MUST love them MORE than we love ourselves. We must understand how Christ loves us and then strive to love others in that exact way. We cannot allow the blessings of God (spiritual gifts) to corrupt our heart and become more important to us than our pure, intimate walk with the Lord.

The truth is, no matter what ability we may have, if we are not using it in a way that honors the Lord, it is useless for eternity!! Just as our focal passage says, “if we do not have love, we are nothing.” The main ingredient in reaching others for Christ is to truly love them as Christ loves us. There is no greater gift than that!!! The love of Christ lead Him to the cross so that you and I might be free from sin and death and have eternal life through Him forever!!! That is our calling and that has to be our focus ALL THE TIME!! My Friend, how do you serve?