THE MORE EXCELLENT WAY

THE MORE EXCELLENT WAY

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: 1 Corinthians 12:31

Key Verse: “But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.” — 1 Corinthians 12:31 (KJV)

Supporting Texts: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13; John 13:34-35; Colossians 3:12-14; 1 Peter 4:8-10; Ephesians 4:1-3

Description: God gives His people different spiritual gifts, but above every gift is the way of love. Paul shows that spiritual power, knowledge, prophecy, faith, sacrifice, and ministry accomplishments are incomplete without love. The more excellent way is a life governed by Christlike love, humility, patience, service, and selflessness.

INTRODUCTION

The church at Corinth was richly gifted but seriously troubled by division, pride, competition, and disorder. They had spiritual gifts in abundance, yet they struggled to use those gifts in a way that reflected the character of Christ. Paul therefore teaches them that possessing gifts is not the same as possessing spiritual maturity. There is something greater than being gifted—it is being governed by love.

At the end of his teaching on spiritual gifts, Paul says, “Covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way” (1 Corinthians 12:31). He does not discourage the pursuit or exercise of spiritual gifts. Rather, he introduces a superior principle that must govern every gift and ministry: love. The next chapter, 1 Corinthians 13, explains this more excellent way in detail.

The more excellent way is not necessarily the way of greater visibility, popularity, position, or supernatural manifestation. It is the way of Christlike love. A believer may preach powerfully, demonstrate faith, possess knowledge, give generously, and perform great works, but without love these things lose their spiritual value. God's desire is not merely that we become gifted people, but that we become loving people.

1. THE MORE EXCELLENT WAY IS THE WAY OF LOVE

Love is at the heart of Christian maturity.

a) Love Is The Greatest Commandment (Matthew 22:37-39)
Love for God and others summarises the heart of God's commandments.

b) Love Is Christ's Command (John 13:34)
Jesus commanded His disciples to love one another as He loved them.

c) Love Identifies Christ's Disciples (John 13:35)
The world recognises genuine discipleship through Christlike love.

d) Love Fulfils God's Law (Romans 13:10)
Genuine love does no harm to another person.

Biblical Example: The early church demonstrated practical love by caring for one another and sharing with those in need (Acts 2:44-45).

2. GIFTS WITHOUT LOVE ARE EMPTY

Spiritual gifts must never replace Christian character.

a) Tongues Without Love (1 Corinthians 13:1)
Even extraordinary spiritual expression becomes empty without love.

b) Prophecy Without Love (1 Corinthians 13:2)
Spiritual revelation does not compensate for the absence of love.

c) Faith Without Love (1 Corinthians 13:2)
Even extraordinary faith cannot substitute for Christlike character.

d) Sacrifice Without Love (1 Corinthians 13:3)
Even costly giving is spiritually empty when motivated by selfishness.

Biblical Example: The Corinthian church possessed many spiritual gifts but struggled with division, showing that giftedness alone does not guarantee maturity (1 Corinthians 1:7-11; 3:1-3).

3. THE MORE EXCELLENT WAY IS PATIENT AND KIND

Love changes how we treat people.

a) Love Is Patient (1 Corinthians 13:4)
Love gives people room to grow and does not react harshly.

b) Love Is Kind (1 Corinthians 13:4)
Love seeks opportunities to bless rather than injure.

c) Love Does Not Envy (1 Corinthians 13:4)
It celebrates the success and gifts of others.

d) Love Does Not Boast (1 Corinthians 13:4)
It does not use achievements to make itself superior.

Biblical Example: Barnabas demonstrated kindness and encouragement towards new believers, helping strengthen the church at Antioch (Acts 11:22-24).

4. THE MORE EXCELLENT WAY REJECTS PRIDE

Love produces humility rather than self-exaltation.

a) Love Is Not Puffed Up (1 Corinthians 13:4)
Love does not allow giftedness to produce arrogance.

b) Love Does Not Behave Rudely (1 Corinthians 13:5)
It treats people with dignity and respect.

c) Love Does Not Seek Its Own (1 Corinthians 13:5)
It is concerned about the interests of others.

d) Love Gives Honour To Others (Romans 12:10)
Christian maturity includes learning to esteem others.

Biblical Example: Jesus washed His disciples' feet, demonstrating that true greatness expresses itself through humble service (John 13:3-15).

5. LOVE CHANGES HOW WE RESPOND TO OFFENCES

The more excellent way is especially visible when we are hurt.

a) Love Is Not Easily Provoked (1 Corinthians 13:5)
Love does not respond impulsively to every offence.

b) Love Keeps No Record Of Wrongs (1 Corinthians 13:5)
It refuses to nurture bitterness and resentment.

c) Love Does Not Rejoice In Iniquity (1 Corinthians 13:6)
Love does not celebrate another person's failure.

d) Love Rejoices In Truth (1 Corinthians 13:6)
It desires righteousness and truth to prevail.

Biblical Example: Stephen demonstrated extraordinary love when, while being persecuted, he prayed for God to forgive those attacking him (Acts 7:59-60).

6. LOVE ENDURES AND REMAINS FAITHFUL

The more excellent way is not temporary or conditional.

a) Love Bears All Things (1 Corinthians 13:7)
Love carries burdens without abandoning people easily.

b) Love Believes All Things (1 Corinthians 13:7)
It gives people the benefit of the doubt rather than assuming the worst.

c) Love Hopes All Things (1 Corinthians 13:7)
It continues to believe that God can transform situations and people.

d) Love Endures All Things (1 Corinthians 13:7)
True love remains steadfast through difficulties.

Biblical Example: Hosea's faithfulness towards Gomer illustrates extraordinary perseverance and covenant commitment (Hosea 3:1-3).

7. LOVE IS GREATER THAN TEMPORARY GIFTS

Spiritual gifts have a purpose for this present age, but love has eternal significance.

a) Prophecies Will Cease (1 Corinthians 13:8)
Some manifestations have a temporary function.

b) Tongues Will Cease (1 Corinthians 13:8)
Spiritual manifestations are not the ultimate goal.

c) Knowledge Is Partial (1 Corinthians 13:9)
Our present understanding remains incomplete.

d) Love Never Fails (1 Corinthians 13:8)
Love has an enduring and eternal value.

The lesson is clear: Do not allow temporary manifestations to become more important than the permanent character of Christ being formed in you.

8. THE MORE EXCELLENT WAY IS CHRISTLIKE LOVE

Jesus is our perfect example of this way.

a) Love Sacrificially (John 15:13)
Jesus demonstrated love by laying down His life.

b) Love Serves (Mark 10:45)
Christ came not to be served but to serve.

c) Love Forgives (Luke 23:34)
Jesus demonstrated forgiveness even in His suffering.

d) Love Seeks The Good Of Others (Philippians 2:4-5)
Christ's example calls believers to put others' interests ahead of selfish ambition.

Biblical Example: The cross is the greatest demonstration of sacrificial love (Romans 5:8).

CONCLUSION

The Christian life is not merely about how gifted we are but about how much Christ's character is being formed in us. Spiritual gifts are valuable and should be earnestly desired and faithfully exercised. However, gifts must operate within the framework of love. Without love, ministry can become performance, spiritual knowledge can become pride, and giftedness can become a source of division.

The more excellent way is the way of love, the way of patience, kindness, humility, forgiveness, sacrifice, endurance, and genuine concern for others. Let your gifts be powerful, but let your love be greater. Let your ministry demonstrate not only what the Holy Spirit can do through you, but also what the Holy Spirit can produce in you.

PRAYER POINTS

1. Father, thank You for the spiritual gifts and abilities You have graciously given me, in Jesus name.

2. Lord, teach me to walk continually in the more excellent way of Christlike love, in Jesus name.

3. Father, remove every form of pride, jealousy, selfish ambition, and competition from my heart, in Jesus name.

4. Lord, help me to exercise every spiritual gift with love, humility, wisdom, and selflessness, in Jesus name.

5. Father, give me grace to be patient and kind even when I am offended or misunderstood, in Jesus name.

6. Lord, deliver me from bitterness, resentment, unforgiveness, and the desire to retaliate, in Jesus name.

7. Father, help me to seek the good of others and put the interests of others before selfish ambition, in Jesus name.

8. Lord, let Your love become increasingly evident in my character, relationships, family, and ministry, in Jesus name.

9. Father, let the gifts operating in Your church be governed by love and used for the edification of the body, in Jesus name.

10. Lord, help me to live and minister in such a way that people see Christ's love through my life and give glory to You, in Jesus name.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS

1. You shall walk continually in the more excellent way of Christlike love.

2. Your gifts shall never become a source of pride, competition, or division.

3. You shall minister with patience, kindness, humility, and wisdom.

4. Every root of jealousy, selfish ambition, bitterness, and unforgiveness shall be uprooted from your heart.

5. You shall receive grace to love even when it is difficult to love.

6. Your words and actions shall bring healing, encouragement, restoration, and strength to others.

7. The Holy Spirit shall produce Christlike character in you alongside spiritual gifts.

8. Your ministry shall not merely demonstrate spiritual power but shall reveal the love and character of Christ.

9. The love of God in you shall overcome offences, disagreements, and difficult relationships.

10. You shall become a vessel through whom God's gifts flow and God's love shines, and your life shall bring lasting glory to Jesus Christ, in Jesus name.