1 Corinthians 12:31 But earnestly desire the higher gifts

Desire is an operation of the flesh.

Galatians 5:17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.

It would seem a measure of self-control is required to establish the difference between the desires of the flesh and the desires of the spirit. The problem is that the flesh can desire godly things. I know, I have done that myself. So how do we move from being babes in Christ to mature faithful servants operating in God will?

If you had not noticed, I parsed 1 Corinthians 12:31. I left out “And I will show you a still more excellent way.” That was Paul’s way of leading us into the love chapter, 1 Corinthians 13.

1 Corinthians 13 English Standard Version

The Way of Love

1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 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. 3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Gifts without love are not operating in God’s will.

My problem is living up to how God’s perfect love operates. Looking in the mirror I do not see myself that obedient, no matter how much I want to love perfectly. Then I remember the mirror is the law and I just want to break the mirror. Making love a law is like putting up a broken mirror. 

When do we stop trying and start being?

Colossians 3:11-15

English Standard Version

11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all. 12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

At the end of yesterday’s post I quote from 1 Corinthians 12 about being one body. Those words do not tell us who we are in the body of Christ. Here in Colossians we are given some general instructions that apply to all of us regardless of what gifts, callings, or training we each might receive.

Each of us is called with purpose but finding out what that purpose is will not be obvious to those who have just entered into the family of God. Different gifts have different training requirements. Some callings take years of training. If you don’t know your gift, what training is appropriate?

Titus 2:11-14 English Standard Version

11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

The training in verse 12 is not the training we need for the work set for those with specific service gifts but applies to all of us. May I suggest that it is a lifelong pursuit, especially the self-control aspects of life.

1 Corinthians 12:29-31 English Standard Version

29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But earnestly desire the higher gifts.

Who is to say which gift is higher than any other since all are needed?