Spiritual Gifts FAQ’s #3

Q: What’s love got to do with it?

A. Gifts without love have NO value in God’s eyes. That statement may seem harsh. No value? Really? Not even partial credit?

One of the major treatises in Scripture about use of our spiritual gifts is 1 Corinthians chapters 12 through 14. Smack in the middle of this lengthy discussion about church health we see the words of 1 Corinthians 13:1-8.  Paraphrasing the first part, we read If you have the gift of Tongues, the gift of Prophecy, the gift of Knowledge, the gifts of Giving or Faith…but “do not have love” your activity/service simply results in noise and nothingness.

Verses 4 through 8 then tell us what love looks like in action:

·       Patience

·       Kindness

·       Not jealous

·       Not boastful

·       Not proud

·       Not dishonoring of others

·       Not self-seeking

·       Not easily angered

·       Doesn’t hold grudges

·       Rejoices with the truth

·       Always protects

·       Always trusts

·       Always hopes

·       Always perseveres

·       Never fails

Our God-given spiritual gifts are wonderful. They are meant to be used to glorify and honor God, to strengthen the church/other believers, and to serve the world in Jesus’ Name. But, when we focus on the gifts, when we think we are the reason something is accomplished, when we fail to keep our eyes on and remain connected to Jesus and His empowering Spirit, we run the risk of forgetting that God is love and everything is rooted in and motivated by that love.

Verse 8 is also clear: “Love never fails. But where there are prophecies [gift], they will cease; where there are tongues [gift], they will be stilled; where there is knowledge [gift], it will pass away.” Love is eternal. Gifts are not.

That old song does not say: “They will know you are followers of Jesus because of your great programs…or because your ministry teams are phenomenal…or because your pastor is cool…or because your worship is highly-produced.” The song reminds us instead: “They will know we are Christians by our love, by our love. Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.”

What is the measure of how people will recognize Jesus in you and in your church? LOVE.

This is a MAJOR theme throughout the New Testament AND a key concept in understanding and using our gifts.

Reflect:

·       What might you need to pray for/be aware of as you use your gifts?

·       Where might use of your gifts provide an opportunity to rely on God?

·       Pray over the list of love in action. Ask God to be the Source of these things in your life.

(For more on gifts, check out the Resources page at GodGiftsYou.com. Take the free assessment and see what gifts God has bestowed on you to contribute to the whole.)

Shirley Giles Davis, author of the God. Gifts. You. Your Unique Calling and Design workbook, Your Unique Design Class Guide, Your Unique Design Facilitator Guide, and Gifts-Calling-Purpose blog, is a consultant, coach, facilitator who has worked with faith-based organizations, nonprofit agencies, and leaders in a diversity of fields for over 30 years. She has also been EquipConnectServe Director at her 1,200 member church since 1999.

Photo (c) Shirley Giles Davis, all rights reserved.