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
Victory Over Satan with Prayer and God's Word | DevotionalLiving the Christian Life by Faith in Christ | DevotionalKnowing Christ Through the Bible This New Year | DevotionFinding Hope in Despair Through God's Faithful Love | DevotionUnderstanding the Fatherhood of God Through Jesus ChristTeaching 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 FellowshipWhen God Gives Us Over to Sin: A Warning for the HeartWhat Happened When Israel Reasoned With God | DevotionalGod Was With Joseph In All Circumstances | DevotionalGod Gave Joseph Success & Strength In All CircumstancesWalking 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 | DevotionBy Grace God Made Us Alive When We Were Dead | DevotionJesus Promises Resurrection and Eternal Home in HeavenDon't Be Disappointed When You Don't See God's Plan | DevotionKnowing Christ Through Relationship With God | DevotionalJesus Said To Peter: Come As You Are | Bible DevotionalWorship: Offering Your Bodies as Living Sacrifices to GodOutside of Christ We Are Separated From God | Devotional King Saul's Story: Fear Over Faith | Bible DevotionalDavid VS. Goliath: Trust God In Every Area | 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
February
Jesus Came to Save, Not Judge Like the Pharisees | DevotionFaith in Christ and the Fruit of Self Control | DevotionalGod the Gardener, Christ the Vine and Us the BranchesGod Calls People to Live Out Faith in Daily Work | DevotionCast Our Nets: Following Jesus Beyond Familiar MethodsFrom Formlessness to Fullness: God’s Creative Work in UsMatthew: Christ's Genealogy and the Kingdom MothersChrist breaks barriers for every Jew and Gentile | DevotionRejoice in the Glory of God and Peace With God | DevotionHow to Rejoice in Suffering through Christ and Hope in GodLife in Christ: Filled by the Holy Spirit | DevotionalGod's Justice On the Cross: How Sin is Forgiven | DevotionWhen Life Gives You A Thorn, You Find God's Grace | DevotionThe Greatest Love Comes From Our Heavenly Father | DevotionNo Condemnation in Christ: How God Forgives Sin | DevotionTrue Worship Happens in the Heart, Not a Building | DevotionDie to Self and Plant the Seed of the Gospel | DevotionHope in God: How Fathers Can Guide Their Children | DevotionChildlike Humility: Entering the Kingdom of God | DevotionThe People of God Rest In God's Sufficiency | DevotionalThe Lord Determines Your Steps and Guides You | DevotionTrusting God: The Journey of Abraham | DevotionalNehemiah: Overcoming Opposition to the Work of GodFullness of the Spirit: How Christ Dwells in Your HeartOur Heavenly Dwelling: Finding Life in the EternalTake Up Your Cross: Following Jesus In Obedience | DevotionEquipping God’s People: Purpose Beyond Sunday | DevotionLove for Christ: Serving Those in Need | Devotion
March
Jesus as Manna: God’s Fresh Provision Every Day | DevotionJesus Is Resurrection and Life: Beyond Your Dead EndWash Me, Lord: How Jesus Rebuilds Us After FailureHeld Fast: Finding God’s Purpose and Will | DevotionalFaith in God: How Abraham Was Made Righteous | DevotionalTo Love Christ More: Understanding the Call to HateThe Cost of Discipleship: Surrender and Freedom | DevotionEternity in Our Hearts: Finding Meaning Beyond FateKnown by God: Trusting His Presence in the DarknessThe Kingdom Within: From Pentecost to Your Heart | DevotionReceive the Holy Spirit: Experience Jesus Living In YouThe Kingdom of God: Living Under the Lordship of ChristTeach Children Obedience: Build Life in the Lord | DevotionEquip God’s People: The Church and Works of ServiceGrow in Christ: Speaking the Truth in Love | DevotionalNo Longer Infants: Standing Firm Against False TeachingJesus Christ: The Way the Truth and the Life | DevotionalActs 1:7: Why No One Knows the Date of Jesus' ReturnInherit Eternal Life: Choosing Christ Over Wealth | DevotionEntering God’s Rest: Combining the Word With FaithActs of God: Founded on the Truth of Scripture | DevotionWait for the Holy Spirit: Power and Timing from GodSaul's Disobedience: Why Partial Obedience Fails | DevotionAbraham & The God Who Gives Life to the Dead | DevotionJesus of Nazareth: Can Anything Good Come From There?Nehemiah 4: How to Build and Battle Against OppositionDon't Kick Against the Goads: Let Jesus Directs Your LifeWise in Your Own Eyes: Why the Fool Rejects Wisdom | DevotionPsalm 19:7: How God Makes the Simple Wise | DevotionalThe Abrahamic Promise: The People and Purpose of GodMustard Seed Faith: Focus on the Object of Belief | Devotion
April
Romans 1:20: Seeing God’s Nature in All of CreationMatthew 21:9: Jesus Enters Jerusalem as Messiah and KingIt Is Finished: The Victory of Christ | John 19:30 DevotionMatthew 27:51: The Torn Curtain | Easter Saturday DevotionMatthew 28:6: He Is Not Here; For He Has Risen | EasterJohn 20:25: Doubting Thomas and the Will to Believe
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