by Pastor Rich Carlson

Chapter 12 of Paul’s first letter to the believers in Corinth not only contains the illustration about the body of Christ, but it describes, in two different lists, examples of the gifts or talents that God, through His Spirit, offers to the believers. There are many parts of the body, all of which are necessary for its most effective and efficient functioning. Sometimes trying to figure out what part I am becomes a challenge. I think Paul put the two lists of gifts in the same chapter to help me start identifying the unique gifts that function like body parts, so I can start to get a handle on who I am in the body of Christ.

Which one I am, which part I play, which piece of the body, is still up for grabs for me. I’ve never reached the place that some have who can say with utmost confidence, “I have the gift of ______.” They march through life with a determination that is commendable at times, but at the same time is a little disconcerting! I usually see a combination of not-so-clear ways God might be using me and I kind of like the diversification of “gifts,” which can be used in a multitude of ways and can come in a plethora of different manifestations.

When I come to the end of the chapter I discover that Paul says to “eagerly desire the greater gifts.” It seems right to assume that where he takes me next would be a description of the “greater gifts.” In fact, at the very end of the chapter he says that he will next describe "the most excellent way."

That is the introduction to chapter 13! The glue that holds the parts described in chapter 12 together, the DNA that makes it all work right, is love.

If I speak in tongues, if I can prophecy, if I have all knowledge, if I have all faith, but don’t have love, the greatest gifts or talents become useless.

None of the “gifts of the Spirit” of chapter 12 are defined, but love, in chapter 13, is explained in detail

Love is:

Patient
Kind

Love is not:

Jealous
Boastful
Rude
Self-seeking
Easily angered

Love does not:

Envy
Delight in evil

Love:

Keeps no record of wrongs
Rejoices with the truth
Always protects
Always trusts
Always hopes
Always perseveres
Never fails

All the other gifts are partially understood at best, like a poor reflection in a mirror, and in the end only three will stand out and remain—faith, hope and love—“But the greatest of these is love.” I can, and I think should, spend my life seeking to develop the gifts and talents God has given me, but all of that pursuit of excellence will, like my physical body, fade away, deteriorate, and ultimately fall apart. What will last forever is love—most well defined in the life of Jesus.

I’ll keep working on the gifts God gives me, but I was reminded this morning about the greatest gift. I want it to be my greatest focus again today. Jesus summed it up in the gospels—“Love one another, as I have loved you.” “For God so loved… that He gave…” and many others. I pray that we will all prioritize our lives around “desiring the greater gift,” as He “shows us the most excellent way.”

Rich Carlson is campus chaplain at Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska. “God Is Faithful” is adapted from the email devotionals he writes regularly for the Union College family. Rich enjoys filling his life with God, his family, and especially his five grandchildren.