April 28, 2021 -- I Corinthians 14:1 -- What are you zealously pursuing?

Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts,

especially that you may prophesy.

I Corinthians 14:1 English Standard Version

The command of Jesus our Lord, given through the apostle Paul, is this—run swiftly towards love and towards showing acts of love and kindness. Corinthians 13 taught that love is patient, kind, doesn’t keep a record of wrongs—we are quite familiar with this. When believers deny themselves and their selfish indulgences in order to show the humble love of Christ to others, they build true community. In the very act of extending love to those in need, the Father in heaven gives to us the awareness of His great love poured out on us in Christ Jesus.

Desire spiritual gifts—it is an emphatic statement—burn with zeal for spiritual gifts. Look to Jesus and His perfections and the Spirit of God will stir in your soul a longing passion to be more like Him. Love fuels this urgency for spiritual gifts. Prayer is the means by which the Spirit answers us and equips us. It is work on our part to push out sloth and sinfulness and slanderous gossip. Think about it. Our world is rife with conspiracy theories. Imagine for a moment, if Christians, who already know the extent of the wickedness of the human heart, rather than breathlessly posting the latest Covid conspiracy instead put in equal or even greater energy towards honing spiritual gifts. Teaching or administration, shepherding God’s people or acts of mercy, prayer and giving, faith evangelism, just to name a few of these gifts believers are to passionately desire.

What is prophesy? This is so disputed. Many people believe prophesy is vague feelings and restless forebodings or the Spirit giving impressions and signs which speak of ominous things to come. Simply put, prophesy is knowing the Word of God so intimately that one is ever and constantly drawn to speak of Him Who gave the Word. God Who decreed, the Son Who demonstrated the love of God fulfilling His Father’s decrees takes away the sin of the world and the Spirit Who has moved men to write the Bible which reveals this all. A prophet who is not anchored in the word of God is not to be heeded—don’t give credibility to his or her words. All we need for life and godliness are written here in the Bible. Know it. Live it. Speak it. You will be declared a wise prophet if you do.

Forgive me, God of Mercy, for my pursuits of the latest gadget, i-this or that, and embracing things which pull me away from You. With the psalmist I renew my vow “You are the LORD, apart from You I have no good thing”. In this day rekindle my zeal to speak Christ and His perfections in all circumstances to all people. Amen.