PURSUING LOVE AND SPIRITUAL GIFTS

PURSUING LOVE AND SPIRITUAL GIFTS

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: 1 Corinthians 14:1

Key Verse: “Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.” — 1 Corinthians 14:1 (KJV)

Supporting Texts: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11; 13:1-13; 14:2-5, 12; Romans 12:4-8; 1 Peter 4:10-11; Galatians 5:13

Description: God desires believers to walk in love while earnestly desiring and properly using spiritual gifts. First Corinthians 14:1 establishes the correct order: pursue love and desire spiritual gifts. Love provides the motive, while spiritual gifts provide opportunities to serve and edify the Body of Christ. A spiritually gifted believer must therefore be a loving believer.

INTRODUCTION

First Corinthians 12 introduces the diversity of spiritual gifts, while chapter 13 establishes love as the more excellent way. In chapter 14, Paul brings these truths together by instructing believers to pursue love while also desiring spiritual gifts. He therefore rejects the idea that believers must choose between love and spiritual power. God's intention is that spiritual gifts operate under the government of divine love.

The Corinthian church was richly endowed with spiritual gifts, but the misuse of those gifts was creating disorder and competition. Some believers appeared to value spectacular manifestations more than the spiritual growth of others. Paul corrected this imbalance by teaching that gifts must never become an opportunity for personal display. Their purpose is to serve and build the Church.

First Corinthians 14:1 therefore gives us a balanced pattern for Christian ministry: love must be pursued, spiritual gifts must be desired, and everything must be used for the edification of others. We should not neglect spiritual gifts, but neither should we pursue gifts without developing the character of Christ. The healthiest Christian ministry combines spiritual power with divine love.

1. LOVE MUST BE PURSUED

Paul begins with the command, “Follow after charity.”

a) Love Is A Deliberate Pursuit (1 Corinthians 14:1)
Love does not develop automatically; believers must intentionally practise it.

b) Love Is The More Excellent Way (1 Corinthians 12:31)
Spiritual gifts are valuable, but love gives them their proper foundation.

c) Love Reflects Christ (Ephesians 5:1-2)
Walking in love means following the example of Jesus.

d) Love Must Govern Ministry (1 Corinthians 13:1-3)
Even impressive spiritual activity becomes empty when it is separated from love.

2. SPIRITUAL GIFTS SHOULD BE DESIRED

Paul does not discourage spiritual gifts; he encourages believers to desire them.

a) Desire Spiritual Gifts (1 Corinthians 14:1)
God expects His people to value the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit.

b) Gifts Come From The Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:4-11)
Spiritual gifts are divine enablements, not merely human talents.

c) Gifts Are Given For Service (1 Peter 4:10)
Every believer should use what God has entrusted to them.

d) Gifts Should Be Used Faithfully (Romans 12:6)
Believers are responsible for exercising their gifts according to God's grace.

3. LOVE MUST BE THE MOTIVE FOR USING GIFTS

The motive behind ministry matters as much as the ministry itself.

a) Love Seeks The Good Of Others (1 Corinthians 10:24)
Ministry should not be centred on personal recognition.

b) Love Builds Others (1 Corinthians 8:1)
The ultimate purpose of ministry is edification.

c) Love Serves Rather Than Displays (Galatians 5:13)
Spiritual gifts should become instruments of service.

d) Love Rejects Self-Glory (1 Corinthians 13:4-5)
The minister must never use God's gift to promote personal pride.

Biblical Example: Barnabas used his ministry to encourage and strengthen believers rather than seeking personal prominence (Acts 11:22-24).

4. SPIRITUAL GIFTS ARE FOR EDIFICATION

God gives gifts so that His people may be strengthened.

a) Gifts Profit The Church (1 Corinthians 12:7)
The manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.

b) Gifts Build Believers (1 Corinthians 14:12)
Spiritual gifts should contribute to the spiritual growth of the congregation.

c) Gifts Encourage Others (1 Corinthians 14:3)
Prophetic ministry, for example, can strengthen, encourage, and comfort people.

d) Gifts Strengthen The Body (Ephesians 4:16)
Every properly functioning member contributes to the growth of the whole Church.

5. LOVE PREVENTS THE MISUSE OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS

Love provides the boundaries that protect spiritual ministry.

a) Love Rejects Pride (1 Corinthians 13:4)
No gift should make a believer feel superior to others.

b) Love Rejects Competition (1 Corinthians 3:3-7)
Ministry should not become a contest for recognition.

c) Love Considers Others (Philippians 2:3-4)
We must consider how our actions affect fellow believers.

d) Love Pursues Order (1 Corinthians 14:40)
Spiritual manifestations should contribute to order rather than confusion.

6. LOVE VALUES PEOPLE MORE THAN GIFTS

People are more important than manifestations.

a) People Are God's Creation (Genesis 1:27)
Every person possesses God-given dignity.

b) Christ Died For People (Romans 5:8)
The value of human souls is demonstrated by Christ's sacrifice.

c) Gifts Must Serve People (1 Peter 4:10)
The purpose of gifting is ministry.

d) Love Protects The Weak (1 Corinthians 8:9-13)
Christian liberty and spiritual gifting should never become stumbling blocks.

7. LOVE AND GIFTS MUST WORK TOGETHER

We do not have to choose between spiritual character and spiritual power.

a) Pursue Love (1 Corinthians 14:1)
Love must remain the believer's priority.

b) Desire Gifts (1 Corinthians 14:1)
We should remain open to the Holy Spirit's supernatural operations.

c) Exercise Gifts In Love (1 Corinthians 13:1-3)
Gifts without love become spiritually unproductive.

d) Build The Church (1 Corinthians 14:12)
The ultimate goal is the strengthening of the Body of Christ.

8. SPIRITUAL GIFTS REQUIRE SPIRITUAL MATURITY

Possessing a gift does not automatically mean possessing maturity.

a) Gifts Do Not Replace Character (1 Corinthians 13:1-3)
A person can be gifted while still needing character development.

b) Character Must Grow (Galatians 5:22-23)
The fruit of the Spirit should accompany spiritual gifts.

c) Maturity Produces Responsible Ministry (Ephesians 4:13-15)
Believers should grow into Christlike maturity.

d) Love Is A Sign Of Maturity (Colossians 3:14)
Love binds Christian virtues together.

9. SPIRITUAL GIFTS SHOULD POINT PEOPLE TO CHRIST

The purpose of supernatural ministry is ultimately to glorify God.

a) Christ Must Be Exalted (John 16:14)
The Holy Spirit's ministry glorifies Christ.

b) Gifts Are Not Personal Property (1 Corinthians 12:11)
The Spirit distributes gifts according to His will.

c) Ministry Must Point To God (Matthew 5:16)
Our works should cause people to glorify God.

d) The Minister Must Remain Humble (James 4:6)
God resists pride but gives grace to the humble.

10. PURSUE LOVE WHILE SERVING WITH SPIRITUAL POWER

The mature believer combines character and gifting.

a) Pursue Love Continually (1 Corinthians 14:1)
Love should remain a lifelong pursuit.

b) Desire Spiritual Gifts Earnestly (1 Corinthians 14:1)
We should welcome the Spirit's work in our lives.

c) Serve Faithfully (1 Peter 4:10)
Our gifts should be used for God's kingdom.

d) Let Everything Build The Church (1 Corinthians 14:26)
Every spiritual expression should contribute to the edification of God's people.

CONCLUSION

First Corinthians 14:1 provides a beautiful balance for Christian ministry: “Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts.” Paul does not tell us to abandon spiritual gifts in favour of love. Neither does he permit us to pursue spiritual manifestations while neglecting love. Instead, he commands us to pursue love while earnestly desiring spiritual gifts.

The Church needs believers who are both deeply loving and spiritually gifted. We need the power of the Holy Spirit expressed through the character of Christ. Therefore, pursue love daily, desire spiritual gifts earnestly, use them faithfully, and always remember that the purpose of every gift is to glorify Christ and build His Church.

PRAYER POINTS

1. Father, teach me to pursue divine love above everything else in my Christian life, in Jesus name.

2. Lord, fill me with the love of Christ and let it govern my motives, words, and actions, in Jesus name.

3. Father, awaken every spiritual gift You have placed within me and give me grace to use it faithfully, in Jesus name.

4. Lord, deliver me from pride, competition, self-promotion, and every wrong motive in ministry, in Jesus name.

5. Father, help me to use every spiritual gift for the edification and strengthening of Your Church, in Jesus name.

6. Lord, give me wisdom to exercise spiritual gifts responsibly, decently, and in order, in Jesus name.

7. Father, let the fruit of the Spirit grow alongside every spiritual gift operating in my life, in Jesus name.

8. Lord, help me to value people above position, recognition, titles, and spiritual manifestations, in Jesus name.

9. Father, let my ministry exalt Jesus Christ, strengthen believers, and bring glory to Your name, in Jesus name.

10. Lord, make me a believer who is both spiritually empowered and deeply rooted in divine love, in Jesus name.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS

1. You shall grow continually in the love of God and in the knowledge of Christ.

2. Every spiritual gift deposited in you shall be awakened and effectively utilised for God's glory.

3. You shall not be controlled by pride, competition, self-promotion, or the desire for human applause.

4. Your spiritual gifts shall operate under the government of divine love.

5. Your ministry shall strengthen, encourage, comfort, equip, and build the Body of Christ.

6. You shall receive wisdom to exercise spiritual gifts with maturity, responsibility, and order.

7. The fruit of the Spirit shall accompany the gifts of the Spirit in your life.

8. You shall value people above position and kingdom purpose above personal recognition.

9. Your ministry shall exalt Jesus Christ and become a blessing to many lives.

10. You shall pursue love, operate in spiritual gifts, walk in spiritual maturity, and fulfil God's purpose for your life, in Jesus name.