Eagerly Desire Spiritual Gifts

Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts….(1 Co 14:1 NIV)

Scriptures tell us God decides who gets what spiritual gift. We are also instructed on why gifts are given and how we are to use them. We don't often think we can actually ask for and actively seek being given a particular gift.

Those gifts are given for God's purposes, though, not our own. He intends we use them for the common good, not for selfish gain (1 Corinthians 12:7; James 4:3). We don't have bragging rights because God is the source of those gifts; and because God gives the power to sustain them. The motivation always must be because of love for God and love for those God loves; and in case we missed it; God loves everybody, but not everything people do (John 3:16).

How often do we consider God set the followers of Christ apart for his holy purpose (1 Peter 2:9-10)? Our entire lives are given as our sacrifice to God's purpose (Romans 12:1-8). He gives us everything for our life and our work and our worship. Our lives are to be an act of thanksgiving for all his gifts, today, tomorrow and always.

Let us remember, no matter where or with whom we worship, we are "the body of Christ, and each one of you [us] is a part of it" (1 Corinthians 12:27).