Posted in Charismatic, Holy Spirit
Mike Noel finishes his four-part series on being a prophetic Christian.
Be a Person of Love
Love is to be the main motivation and goal of the Christian. Jesus said that the two great commandments are to love God and love our neighbor. Paul said that love is the fulfilling of the law (Romans 13:10). I Corinthians 13 is the great “love chapter” that we often hear at weddings. It is interesting that this chapter divides the two most complete chapters in the Bible concerning spiritual gifts. It is more than interesting; it is meaningful and instructive.
In 12:31 he tells the Corinthians, “But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a more excellent way.” Love is the most excellent way that we can walk in. It should be our great pursuit. It helps answer the question, “How shall I live my life as a Christian?” And verses 4 through 7 of chapter 13 give practical handles that describe what a life of love looks like. I John 4:10 tells us of the greatest expression of love: "In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins." But what does this love look like in the area of prophecy? We see it most clearly in our motivation.
I Corinthians 13:2 states, “And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.” Our motivation to prophesy should not be to impress others. That seemed to characterize some in the Corinthian church. Our motivation should be that we love God and love his church and that we want God to be glorified in our gatherings and his people edified by prophetic words. We will probably always be tempted to impress others. But as we spend time with the Lord and ask him for words that will encourage, exhort and comfort others, we can add that we be motivated by his glory and the good of his people.
Ask God that you might decrease and that he might increase. And then when he gives you things to say, do so in faith, and his church will be blessed.
Other posts in this series are available on the blog under the category "Charismatic."
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