Fola Komolafe

But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way. 1 Corinthians 12:31 (NKJV)

Believers are encouraged to earnestly or seriously desire the best gifts, referring to the spiritual gifts given to the church which is the body of Christ. All the gifts are equally important and the best gifts are the one most suited to the given situation. So for example if someone is sick the best gifts in that situation could be the gifts of healings and of faith.

In the beginning of the chapter it says, ‘now concerning spiritual gifts brethren, I would not have you ignorant.’ Ignorance is not bliss when it comes to spiritual matters, ignorance the Bible says causes Gods people to be destroyed, it makes them ineffective in their Christian walk. Another word for ignorance is to be misinformed. So in 1 Corinthians 12, the Holy Spirit through Paul outlines in detail the gifts to us and says we must earnestly desire them because we need them all operating effectively in and through the church today. The gifts demonstrate the power of God through His church, His chosen people, His elected ones. You see, it is the things you earnestly, intently and fervently desire and long for as you learn about spiritual matters that manifests in your life as you seek God.

In the same sentence he says, ‘and yet I show you a more excellent way.’ The more excellent way is the way of Love which is described in 1 Corinthians 13. Love, not just any love, but the God kind of love is the more excellent way because all the gifts work by love. The Greek word for ‘way’ describes a journey, a road, a route by which you make progress. It also describes a way or manner of thinking, feeling and deciding. The God kind of love is the more excellent way if you want to make progress or be successful in life.

In 1 Corinthians 13:1-3, when talking about spiritual gifts and love, the Bible shows that you are nothing and everything you do profits nothing without this kind of love dominating your life, your thoughts and your decisions. It goes on to say, “And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love” (1 Cor 13:13). Agape is the Greek word that describes this kind of love that God is (1 John 4:8) and that has been poured in your heart when you got born again and received the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5). It is this love which is the greatest of all, the more excellent way for you to see progress in all spiritual matters and in life that we are also told never fails, never loses and never falls powerless .

So you need to be more intentional about your love walk no matter how much of the flesh you need to crucify each day. You need to let this God kind of love dominate your life so much more because as you do this you are being like your Father and you will experience more success and victory in your walk with God and in your life.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (AMPC) :

[4] Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. [5] It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong]. [6] It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail. [7] Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening]. [8] Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end].

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