CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE DAILY DEVOTIONAL ON YOUTUBE
1 Corinthians 12:27-31
The Apostle Paul gives what is an introduction to different types of gifts in 1 Corinthians 12:27-31 as in the following verses and chapters he will give more in depth explanations of these gifts. Paul lists these gifts as if in an order from first, second, and so on, but these gifting orders are somewhat deceiving as we will see that it is not so much the gift as it is the condition of the heart of the receiver of the gift as the gift is put into action. Paul declares in 1 Corinthians 12:27 (NKJV), “Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.” We will learn in the coming verses and chapters that it is the individual’s responsibility to utilize the gift properly in the eyes of God in being a part of a greater mission than that of the individual as all are together part of the body of Christ Jesus. Paul leads into what is to come by his comment in 1 Corinthians 12:31, “But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.” The best gift is utilizing the one that God has given you to edify the Church. This is the “more excellent way” as Paul states in 1 Corinthians 12:31.
This is an example of different gifts that become the best gift by following God’s design for the gift that He has given you to build up the Church – in Christ.
We all, I would think, desire to have the best gift, even if we believe that our individual gift is a “lesser” gift. But the important part of our gifts is that they are all the most important gift if we are seeking God’s plan for our lives in the gift(s) that He has given us. Paul has already taught us that everyone cannot be an eye – for if everyone were an eye, where would the foot be? It is the sinful nature that brings on competition, which is a plea to be better than others. But God desires us all to be the best, in our own gifts/talents, in Christ.
Dear LORD,
Please help us to realize and understand that the gift(s) that You give to us are not to be in competition against one another to see who can be the best, but that we would all work together to be the best as a whole body of the Church – in Christ. In Jesus name I pray, amen.