Daily Devotional for Saturday, August 2

The Greatest of the Gifts

“But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way,” 1 Corinthians 12:31.

The candle is an amazing human invention. Historical references to candles of various sorts reach back to ancient history. Humans have used them as a lighting source worldwide. Modern candles are used for lighting, therapy, decoration, religious activities, health uses and many other reasons. Candles have been central to humanity’s existence and fight against the dark, but the flashlight is a much more useful invention for finding your way when the sun goes down. It just works better.

Our passage speaks of something better also, referring to it as a more excellent way. A whole chapter has been dedicated to the proper use of the spiritual gifts, but then the chapter ends with this transition: let me show you a more excellent way—love. In a masterful chapter, 1 Corinthians 13, Paul heralds the better way of love. As a guiding principle in the church, love is a better way than the spiritual gifts. Not everyone could speak in tongues. Not everyone could produce miracles. Not everyone could heal. But everyone can love. The apostle John taught us in another book that we love Him because He first loved us. All can love because everyone has experienced the love of God in Jesus Christ.

You have the greatest spiritual gift. You have the ability to radically transform your church and your world. You have within you the ingredient to make your church work as it should, to make your family function faithfully and to make others see Jesus—love. As one who has seen the love of Jesus and has tasted the love of Jesus, you are fully equipped with the best. Exercise this powerful way for the glory of God.

PRAYER

“Father, use your love in me to accomplish your will, Amen.”

Jason Rutherford