“Lean into being loved by the Lord, and you will be ready to be led and motivated by love!”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – October 25, 2024
Pursue the greater gifts, and let me tell you of a more excellent way—love. 1 Corinthians 12:31, VOICE
Spiritual gifts are great, but love is greater! In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul beautifully describes how God’s gifts bless the Body of Christ. And as excellent as God’s gifts are, there is an even more excellent way—God’s gift of love. His highest and loftiest gift to be pursued to the uttermost. And with a stroke of divine genius, the Spirit directs Paul’s pen to explain in Chapter 13 the depths of love’s more excellent way, so much so that he says spiritual gifts without love are of no value—they are nothing. Charles Spurgeon describes the more excellent grace of love:
Silver is good, but gold is better. A certain way may be excellent, but another way may be more excellent still. Gifts are good, but grace is better. Get gifts, spiritual gifts, but also get grace, and above all, get the best grace, the noblest grace, the greatest grace, that is, love, for love to God, and love to your fellow men, and love to the church of God—this is “a more excellent way.” Get much grace then, first, because you need it. I do not know that you need gifts. Perhaps, dear friends, you are not lacking in gifts. You require some for the service of your Lord, but perhaps you have sufficient, and it may be that, if you had more, they would be an encumbrance to you, but I am sure that you need grace. A man may be really better off with one talent than with five, but he cannot be better off with one measure of grace than with five. The more grace we have, the better, for thus we shall be “rich toward God,” and this kind of riches brings no sorrow with it. You need a great deal more grace than you think you do, something is going to happen in which you will need great grace. Perhaps there is to be more trial for you; possibly, there is to be more prosperity, and certainly, you will need more grace then. But whatever is to come, get more grace because you will need it.
Love is the most excellent grace that glorifies God!
When we think about doing good deeds or using God’s gifts, it’s easy to focus on the action itself—serving, giving, or helping in some way. But Scripture reminds us that the “why” behind our actions is more important than the “what.” Even the most impressive deeds—whether giving everything we have to the poor or using our spiritual gifts—mean nothing if they’re not done with love. Love has to be the motivation behind everything we do because love reflects the very heart of God. When we serve out of love, we’re not just fulfilling a duty; we’re pointing people to Jesus. Our deeds, when rooted in love, carry eternal value. So, ask God to help you check your heart. Let love be your guide in how you serve others, use your gifts, and live out your faith. The grace of love is the difference. The more excellent way shows you the way to the Lord’s heart.
When it comes to serving others and using your spiritual gifts, love isn’t just a nice idea—it’s the core of why you do what you do. Without love, your actions lose their appeal. Love reminds you to focus on people, not tasks. It’s easy to get caught up in doing things to check them off a list. But love compels you to see the people you’re serving. It’s not about doing a good deed; it’s about caring for someone’s heart. Love grows your patience. Whether teaching, encouraging, or leading, love reminds you to be patient with others, just as God is patient with you. Spiritual growth takes time, and love keeps you steady. Love nurtures humility. You do not serve to get attention or praise. When love motivates you, you serve quietly, knowing it’s about honoring God and helping others. Lean into being loved by the Lord, and you will be ready to be led and motivated by love!
Prayer
Lord, help me to walk in the more excellent way of love. Let everything I do be rooted in Your love, reflecting Your heart. Teach me to serve, give, and speak with compassion and humility, always pointing others to You. May love be my motivation in all things. Amen.
Application
How is love demonstrated in the exercise of your spiritual gifts?
Related Reading
Proverbs 10:12; 1 Corinthians 13:13; 1 Peter 4:8; John 13:34-35
Worship Resource
Elevation Worship: Love Won’t Give Up
Donate
If you are blessed by these daily devotionals please prayerfully consider a donation to support Wisdom Hunters Resources. We are trusting the Lord for His provision.
Download our app!
