A More Excellent Way

"And I show you a still more excellent way."

1 Corinthians 12:31

The Apostle Paul writes to the Corinthians about the use of spiritual gifts. How they are given to each person as God wills, and how they are to be used to build up the church, which is the body of Christ.  And then He goes on to show them "a still more excellent way" than zealously aspiring to the place of apostles, prophets or leaders, and that is to love. In chapter  13 he describes this love -- this more excellent way -- for the Corinthians, and for us: 

"Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."

Love is not a spiritual gift. It is a way of life -- the way of our Savior. Every Christian is to apprehend it and live it. It's not optional. It's a command. Jesus said "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35).  Love is to be the motivation behind the exercising of our spiritual gifts. It is a more excellent way.