I Corinthians 13:6 NKJV
[6] does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;
Paul, writing to the church in Corinth, took out a whole chapter on the subject of love. He had been speaking to the church about the very important topic of spiritual gifts and their value to the church, and how these gifts were given to the church to enhance worship and help the church grow. This is the start of the devotion for today: that which you have been given, how are you making use of it? Do you even know what you have been equipped and gifted for? Do you have a clear understanding of your role and place in the family that you have been planted in? If you are looking for a perfect church on this side of eternity, that might seem to be an impossible assignment, as we all, on this side of eternity, are still working toward perfection in line with God's desire, and we use that which He supplies to achieve that which He desires. It is this solid foundation that takes us to the next level.
Having now understood who we are, who we serve and what we are placed here to do, we must then act in a way that points men to the One who provided the platform for expression in the first place. There was no way I could save men, and there was no way I could sustain them in the faith by my own strength. All these come from God. What I need to do is to use all He has supplied in a way that will point to Him as my source, inspiration and encouragement. At no time can I be filled with pride in my presentation, logic, elocution, earnings or education. The things that men applaud do not move God. The things that men celebrate as important are despised in the eyes of God. What brings Him glory is when men point Him out to other people through examples of grace, mercy and love. Do I bring people to an awareness of divine enablement in my life, or do I seek self-glory in any way?
The way I go about my assignment matters. No matter how gifted I am, people will always remember how I presented the grace of God in my life to them. I could have all the gifts of the Holy Spirit, but as this same chapter says quite clearly, without love, I end up being a showman, or at worst, a clanging cymbal, full of noise and not much impact. That which is in me does not also allow me to be passive, content to just coast by and not be known for anything. How can a child of God be in a place and the light in him will not be evident? How can iniquity thrive unchallenged when a child of God is in a place? How can falsehood find expression in a place, when a child of the One called The Truth is there? It is a challenge to all who bear the name of the Lord to live up to the name we bear. Love does not excuse sin; it challenges it, but it also provides a better alternative, one paved with God's kind of love. Does my current life expression show that I know this God? God's time of favour is here.
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