1 Corinthians 14:1 (NIV)
Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy.
“Paul valued this gift so highly that he told the Corinthians, ‘Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy‘ (1 Cor. 14:1). Then at the end of his discussion of spiritual gifts he said again, ‘So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy‘ (1 Cor. 14:39). If Paul was eager for the gift of prophecy to function at Corinth, troubled as the church was by immaturity, selfishness, divisions, and other problems, then should we not also actively seek this valuable gift in our congregations today?” [Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology, Kindle 1311]
Prophecy is a love gift–its motivation is love, its expression is love, its fruit is love. When we engage in prophetic prayer and encouragement, we are engaging in love. It’s as if the supernatural touches down in that moment of prayer, in that moment of sharing; and in that time and space, we know God exists, we know he loves us, and we know he is speaking in our language to tell us so. Therefore, prophecy is available to all Christians.
Prayer: Father, may our love for you compel us into love for our brothers and sisters where we will be eager to minister in the gifts of your Spirit, especially prophecy. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Let’s worship to the song, “How Great is Your Love” by Phil Wickham (click here).
– AK
