February 14 - The More Excellent Way.

1 Corinthians 12:31
“But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.”
 
What is this “more excellent way”?
 
Paul writes to the church at Corinth, and through the entire Chapter 12 refers to the ministry of the gifts of a child of God, and our place in the body of Christ, the church.
 
The last verse of the chapter is used as a springboard into Chapter 13, where the “more excellent way” is unveiled and described.
 
1 Corinthians 13:1
“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.”
 
Regardless of what we say or do, if we do not have charity, we are nothing.
We cannot accomplish anything without the love of Christ being our purpose.
 
Charity is that agapē love…the highest form of love…the love of God for man and of man for God.
 
The love of Christ in us is significant evidence of our possession of Him.
 
Commonly referred to as “the love chapter”, 1 Corinthians 13 describes what charity is, and how we are to utilize it.
 
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
“Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.”
 
Charity never fails.
 
The word “charity” is found nine times within this chapter.
 
What are there nine parts of within the pages of Scripture?
 
Galatians 5:22-23
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
 
Love is the first part of the Fruit of the Spirit.
For without love, we can do nothing.
 
1 John 4:7-8
“Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.”
 
God is love; and without Him, we can do nothing.
 
John 15:5
“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”
 
Choose love, and choose Him today.
He is the “more excellent way”.
 
 
Bible Reading:
Exodus 39    |     Matthew 24