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

May 23rd, 2022 by Pastor Ed in devotional

We have here in chapter 12, one of three lists of gifts in the New Testament, the other two are found in Romans 12 and Ephesians 4:11. Paul tells us to “earnestly desire”—or seek intently, sincerely, and continuously after—the best gifts. But what are the best or greater gifts? Our place in the body, the position where we serve, will determine what the best gifts are for our current ministry. This section serves as an introduction to the next chapter on love, or as the Old King James version translates it, charity.

Ignorance of spiritual gifts is not the basic problem in the church. More fundamental is the lack of desire to strengthen other people’s faith by being patient and kind, by refusing to boast, by not being easily angered, and by keeping no record of wrongs, as Paul points to in the next chapter. The problem is wanting gifts that benefit ourselves. But God wants us to seek and desire the gifts that will best benefit others as we serve them. Human, fleshy nature is more driven to pull others down than to build others up. It is much easier to criticize others than to labor in love for and with them.

We are to desire the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives, but we are pointed to a more excellent way—the way of love. Showing love demonstrates a deeper walk with God than exercising spiritual gifts alone, and thus it is “a more excellent way.” But there is also a much broader way to view this verse that is a great encouragement. God has shown us a more excellent way to view life here that is more full and complete. His way, the way of love, puts all of this crazy, wacky world back in perspective. We don’t have to figure out everything that is happening around us. We only have to live our lives out in the way He directs us.

“LORD, thank you for giving us the ‘most excellent way’ of following You through this world. Help us to walk in the light of Your Spirit this day we ask, in Jesus’ name.”