THE LOVE THE KEY:
1 Corinthians 13:1-3 NLT
[1] If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. [2] If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. [3] If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.
The love of God – the love for God and for others is the key to discovering and maximizing our effectiveness in the use of our gifts. God is love and those who are born of God and know God must walk in love (1 John 4:7-8). God saves, heals, redeems, and delivers us from evil because of His love for us.
Love, therefore, must be our motive for desiring and walking in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. No matter how gifted we are with the gifts of the Holy Spirit, if we fail to walk in true love, all our efforts and deeds will be insignificant before God.
Matthew 7:21-23 NLT
[21] “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. [22] On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ [23] But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’
What is your motive for desiring the gifts of God and for walking in the power of God? To become famous and make money? You have missed the mark! True disciples of God, demonstrate their love for God and for others by doing the will of God and by walking in obedience to His Word.
Beloved, let us walk in love. Let us love one another.