Of Men and Angels

Paul begins his description of love by telling us what it isn’t. Love, Paul says in 1 Corinthians 13:1, isn’t just having great gifts.

Some people in the Corinthian church were very proud of their God-given abilities, particularly being able to speak in other languages. Some might have even spoken an ‘Angel’ language! But Paul makes it clear that even an impressive gift like that is only a loud, unpleasant noise if it isn’t accompanied by genuine love.

Sinclair writes, “Paul valued the gifts of the Spirit, but… his first question at a church-membership interview would not be about your gifts. He’d want to know about your love—about how you’d want to serve others for Jesus’ sake… You might be a very gifted teacher. You may be applauded as a musician. You might be admired for your spiritual prayers. But none of that matters if you do not love.”

As we began by saying yesterday, 1 Corinthians 13 is ultimately a description of Jesus—love personified. Whether or not some of the people in Corinth could speak ‘Angel’, Jesus certainly could. When he hung on the cross, he could have called angels to save him, but he chose to die, saving us instead.

Whatever gifts we have, we are called to use them for the good of others, as Jesus did. Sinclair challenges us by saying that love means being “willing to do things that are uncomfortable or inconvenient for you, or that go unnoticed.” Today, take some time to consider whether you are more concerned with using your gifts, or with loving others. Thank God for the gifts he has given you, and ask him to help you use them to serve and love other people.

Love Came Down at Christmas by Sinclair B. Ferguson (published by The Good Book Company) available to buy at Eden Christian Bookstore or Amazon.