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Ask God: The Holy Spirit gives each Christian his/her spiritual. Is your spiritual gift forever?

Good Evening Reader,

Today we move from chapter 12 of 1 Corinthians to chapter 13 of Paul's letter to the church at Corinth. He give us insight to the eternal spirit gift which is love.

May God bless you and keep you in His love.

All Glory to God.

Elvin

Love, Your Eternal Spiritual Gift.

Love, the Eternal Spiritual Gift

If you were looking for a measuring stick in which to gauge your Christian growth, love would be that measuring stick. Love is a characteristic we will carry into heaven. God is love, and as we grow in love, we grow more like God. Paul recognized this and devoted chapter 13 of First Corinthians to love.

1 Corinthians 13, often called the “Love Chapter,” is Paul’s powerful reminder that love is the greatest virtue in the Christian life. He begins by stressing that without love, even the most impressive spiritual gifts are meaningless.

Paul describes love as patient and kind. It is not envious, boastful, or proud. Love does not dishonor others and is not self-seeking, easily angered, or resentful. Instead, love rejoices with the truth, always protects, trusts, hopes, and perseveres.

Spiritual Gifts will Pass Away, but Love is Eternal

Last week, we studied spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians chapter 12. Paul said spiritual gifts are important for building up the church and are distributed to each Christian “individually as the Holy Spirit wills” (1 Corinthians 12:11).

Paul said, “There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:4). He then compares spiritual gifts to the human body. We have many members, but we are one body. One part of the body is not more important than another part. (See verses 12 through 14). He emphasizes that spiritual gifts were given to Christians individually by the Holy Spirit and are essential.

Paul then says that we should practice spiritual gifts with love. For without love, we are like a clanging cymbal. It profits nothing (1 Corinthians 13:3). He argues that without love, even the most impressive displays of spiritual power or acts of generosity are essentially empty and ineffective. Love should be a part of all we do.

He says that while spiritual gifts are important, they are temporary and partial; they will pass away when perfection comes. In contrast, love is eternal. Our current understanding is limited, like seeing in a dim mirror, but one day we will see God clearly, face to face. Until then, believers are called to live in faith, hope, and love—but love stands above them all.

“Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect (or complete) has come, then that which is in part will be done away” (1 Corinthians 13:8-10).

This teaching of Paul is profound. It is not just an emotion but a deliberate choice and action that reflects God’s own nature. It is the foundation for all Christian behavior and is the bond of unity for the church. Love is the enduring testimony of our faith in Christ. John 13:35 says, By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” Without love, we miss the very heart of God’s will.

The New Commandment

Jesus elevated The Greatest Commandment when He gave His disciples (and us) the New Commandment. Before Jesus’ New Commandment, we were taught to love our neighbor as ourselves. Jesus stated His New Commandment in verses 34 and 35 of John 13, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (Verses 34 and 35).

What a powerful commandment He has given us. It is a challenge to love others as Christ has loved us.

In Summary

Love is the true measure of Christian maturity and the greatest of the spiritual gifts. While spiritual gifts are valuable for building up the church, Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 13 that without love, they are meaningless.

Gifts such as prophecy, tongues, and knowledge are temporary and partial—they will one day cease when perfection comes. But love is eternal, for it reflects the very nature of God, who is love (1 John 4:8).

Paul describes love as patient, kind, humble, and selfless. It does not dishonor others, nor is it quick to anger. Instead, love protects, trusts, hopes, and perseveres. Unlike spiritual gifts, which serve the church only for this age, love continues into eternity.

Our present knowledge of God is like looking into a dim mirror, but one day we will see Him face to face. Until then, faith, hope, and love remain, with love being the greatest.

Jesus confirmed this truth when He gave His disciples a New Commandment: “Love one another; as I have loved you” (John 13:34–35). Love is not merely an emotion but a choice and action that reflects Christ’s character. It is the bond of unity and the evidence to the world that we are His disciples.

Elvin

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Ask God to Show you your Spiritual Gift.

Ask God For Help

Christian faith

Reader,

Hosea said his people were destroyed for lack of knowledge. Knowledge give believers and non-believers a choice. When a person does not know, they cannot choose.

Feel free to forward this lesson to your friends and family.

Grow in the knowledge of God.

Elvin

Send your comments to elvin.aycock@AskGodForHelp.net and let me know what you think of the lessons.

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