July 5th, 2025
by Charles W Price
by Charles W Price
“Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts…” — 1 CORINTHIANS 14:1
The idea of love is wonderful, but in the daily grind of our lives how can we ever get a hold of it? How can we live like another Francis of Assisi or Mother Theresa?
If we are Christian, then we are gifted by God, each in our own unique way as God determines. Paul teaches that in our spiritual gifting, love is not the prerogative of a few but is the possession of all. He founded the church in Corinth which had complete misconceptions about spiritual gifts, and was the most immature, deeply divided church. New Christians were involved in sexual immorality, drunkenness and caught up in all kinds of pagan ways. But it was to these people Paul said, “I want you to know you can experience this love as the means by which you engage in ministry to one another.”
Spiritual gifting is always for the benefit of others, but if it isn’t carried out in love, it counts for nothing. If love is not the motive in great acts of benevolence and faith, it amounts to nothing. If love is not the reason for martyrdom, even that will gain nothing. Love is the highest virtue of all, and for one very clear reason. Because God is love. Detaching God and His works from who He is will simply become an expression of ourselves for the praise of others. The means by which the gifts of the Spirit are offered is love, and if they are going to be fruitful must be exercised in love.
We can mimic and counterfeit all spiritual gifts, but we cannot counterfeit love. Love is truthful and it never fails. Paul tells us that where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. “And now these three remain; faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13). Then he says, “Follow the way of love…” Effective Christian ministry depends on it.
Love is what changes us and makes us significant in the environment God has placed us. Whatever God gives us to do is measured by the benefit it brings to other people as we exercise it in love. It is our love of God that will express itself in our love for others.
PRAYER: Dear Lord, Thank You for your love. May it richly and powerfully indwell me so that it is always expressed in my interactions with others.
TO REFLECT UPON: Am I exercising my spiritual gift so that it reflects God’s love?
The idea of love is wonderful, but in the daily grind of our lives how can we ever get a hold of it? How can we live like another Francis of Assisi or Mother Theresa?
If we are Christian, then we are gifted by God, each in our own unique way as God determines. Paul teaches that in our spiritual gifting, love is not the prerogative of a few but is the possession of all. He founded the church in Corinth which had complete misconceptions about spiritual gifts, and was the most immature, deeply divided church. New Christians were involved in sexual immorality, drunkenness and caught up in all kinds of pagan ways. But it was to these people Paul said, “I want you to know you can experience this love as the means by which you engage in ministry to one another.”
Spiritual gifting is always for the benefit of others, but if it isn’t carried out in love, it counts for nothing. If love is not the motive in great acts of benevolence and faith, it amounts to nothing. If love is not the reason for martyrdom, even that will gain nothing. Love is the highest virtue of all, and for one very clear reason. Because God is love. Detaching God and His works from who He is will simply become an expression of ourselves for the praise of others. The means by which the gifts of the Spirit are offered is love, and if they are going to be fruitful must be exercised in love.
We can mimic and counterfeit all spiritual gifts, but we cannot counterfeit love. Love is truthful and it never fails. Paul tells us that where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. “And now these three remain; faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13). Then he says, “Follow the way of love…” Effective Christian ministry depends on it.
Love is what changes us and makes us significant in the environment God has placed us. Whatever God gives us to do is measured by the benefit it brings to other people as we exercise it in love. It is our love of God that will express itself in our love for others.
PRAYER: Dear Lord, Thank You for your love. May it richly and powerfully indwell me so that it is always expressed in my interactions with others.
TO REFLECT UPON: Am I exercising my spiritual gift so that it reflects God’s love?
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Archive
2026
January
Knowing Christ Through the Bible This New Year | DevotionLiving the Christian Life by Faith in Christ | DevotionalVictory Over Satan with Prayer and God's Word | DevotionalUnderstanding the Fatherhood of God Through Jesus ChristFinding Hope in Despair Through God's Faithful Love | DevotionTeaching of Jesus: Ask, Seek, Knock and Pray | Luke 11God Will Give the Holy Spirit to Those Who Ask HimJesus Calls His Disciples to Obedience After FailureHoly Ground: God Calls Moses to Trust & Obedience | DevotionOnce Dead In Sin, Now Made Alive by God's Spirit | DevotionLiving a Life of Love and Purity | Ephesians 5 DevotionalGod’s Relationship With Israel & the Church in FellowshipWhat Happened When Israel Reasoned With God | DevotionalWhen God Gives Us Over to Sin: A Warning for the HeartGod Gave Joseph Success & Strength In All CircumstancesGod Was With Joseph In All Circumstances | DevotionalWalking With God, Living A Life Worthy of Your CallingOne Church in Christ with Unity by One Spirit | DevotionalGrace: From Captive In Sin to Captive In Christ | DevotionDon't Be Disappointed When You Don't See God's Plan | DevotionJesus Promises Resurrection and Eternal Home in HeavenBy Grace God Made Us Alive When We Were Dead | DevotionWorship: Offering Your Bodies as Living Sacrifices to GodJesus Said To Peter: Come As You Are | Bible DevotionalKnowing Christ Through Relationship With God | DevotionalOutside of Christ We Are Separated From God | Devotional David VS. Goliath: Trust God In Every Area | DevotionalKing Saul's Story: Fear Over Faith | Bible DevotionalDavid’s Victory and Saul’s Jealousy | 1 Samuel DevotionalGod's Presence When Israel Was In Sin | Ezekiel DevotionalEzekiel: The Lord Is There, Repent and Restore | DevotionMiracles of Jesus are Signs Meant to Lead People to BeliefPraise & Worship God as A Response to His Love | Devotion
2025
July
A SERVANT OF CHRISTTHE FINEST WINECAN GOD BE PROVEN?THE GREATEST GIFTREKINDLING THE FERVOUR | DAILY BIBLE DEVOTIONALTHE HARD TIMES | DAILY BIBLE DEVOTIONALA MAN AFTER GOD’S OWN HEART | DAILY BIBLE DEVOTIONALFAITHFUL SAINTS | DAILY BIBLE DEVOTIONALIN CHRIST AND CHRIST IN US | DAILY BIBLE DEVOTIONALRIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD RECEIVED | DAILY BIBLE DEVOTIONALTHE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS | DAILY BIBLE DEVOTIONALTHE STAFF OF GOD | DAILY BIBLE DEVOTIONALDIVINE PROVISION | DAILY BIBLE DEVOTIONALTHE CHRISTIAN ADVENTURE | DAILY BIBLE DEVOTIONALUNANSWERED PRAYER: 4 BIBLICAL REASONS | DAILY BIBLE DEVOTIONALJesus Chose Ordinary People | Daily Bible DevotionalJesus Breaks Down Barriers | Daily Bible DevotionalUNLOCKING HEAVEN ON EARTH | DAILY BIBLE DEVOTIONALCHRISTIAN FAITH: OBJECTIVE TRUTH | DAILY BIBLE DEVOTIONALBUILD ON THE ROCK: CHRIST AS YOUR FOUNDATION | DEVOTIONALPUT ON THE NEW SELF: TRANSFORMED IN CHRIST | DEVOTIONALSEEKING JESUS AND FINDING PEACE IN THE BIBLE | DEVOTIONALSHARE THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST LIKE PAUL DID | DEVOTIONALBAPTISM: FROM DEATH TO LIFE | DAILY BIBLE DEVOTIONALWALK ON WATER WITH JESUS | DAILY BIBLE DEVOTIONALBLESSING OF GIVING: TITHES AND OFFERING | MALACHI DEVOTIONKNOW CHRIST BETTER THROUGH PRAYER | EPHESIANS 1 DEVOTIONALHope, Inheritance & Power in Christ | Ephesians DevotionalForgiveness & Grace For Humble Sinners | Luke DevotionalHow Beautiful Are The Feet Of Those Who Bring Good News!
August
Seek God's Gift of Wisdom | Proverbs DevotionalChrist’s Power in Our Weaknesses & Suffering | DevotionalSigns of the Holy Spirit Within Us | Daily DevotionalFollowing Jesus: Deny Yourself & Take Up Your CrossMoses' Story: When You Feel Inadequate for God’s CallingPraying To God With Humility | Daily Bible DevotioanlStrengthened By The Spirit And Christ's Power | DevotionalRun the Christian Race by God’s Rules | Bible DevotionalRooted In The Love & Knowledge Of Christ | DevotionalThe Gospel: Saved by Grace Alone In Christ | DevotionalExperience the Love of God | Psalm 86 DevotionalKnowing God Through His Spirit | Daily Bible DevotionalLosing Life to Gain Christ’s Fullness | Bible DevotionalTrusting God's Timing In Prayer | Nehemiah 2 DevotionalOvercoming the Law of Sin with Christ's Spirit | Romans 7God's Truth In Our Heart | Psalm 51 DevotionalThe Greatness of God Beyond Our Theology | DevotionalGod's Sovereignty: How He Remolds Us | Bible DevotionalFaithful Families Remember God’s Wonders | Psalm 111The Helmet of Salvation and Hope in Christ | DevotionalChristians Find Freedom In Christ, Not Legalism | DevotionGod of Comfort in Suffering | 2 Corinthians DevotionalGod Jehovah: The Lord Who Heals | Exodus 15 DevotionalJesus Christ Heals the Sick | Mark 1 Bible DevotionalGood Soil and God’s Word | Luke 8 Bible DevotionalPreach The Gospel To All Of The World | Mark 16 DevotionalGod Is With The Humble & Lowly In Spirit | Isaiah Devotion
September
Holy Is The Lord God Almighty | Isaiah 6 DevotionalMatthew 5: Let Your Yes Be Yes, No Be No | Devotion On OathGifts to Build the Body of Christ | Ephesians 4 DevotionalChrist in You, the Hope of Glory | Colossians 1 DevotionalLove Jesus & Your Neighbour | Good Samaritan DevotionalRebuild Faith and Life in Christ | Nehemiah 3 Devotional
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