I would like to talk with you about a very important subject: Love. This is what He is after. There is no higher blessing, no higher calling, and no higher gift appropriated than to become a true Christian. Someone might say, “Wait a minute. What do you mean by a true Christian?” There are those who get saved, and they never let their carnality go. That is not what it means to be a true Christian. God is looking for integrity. O God. I just saw a vision. He is looking for a heart that is aglow with the Spirit of God.

May I tell you what I think one of the greatest sins is in people who walk the face of the earth in Christ? It is one word: self. The life of self. How in the world do you get away from that sin? Paul saw it so deeply. He was in such a fettered state, he did not know what to do with himself. He realized that at the core of it all was the most ugly thing he had ever seen; self. But one of the most beautiful things that God looks upon is a heart aglow with His Spirit.

1 Cor 13:1-3 Amp. If I [can] speak in the tongues of men and [even] of angels, but have not love (that reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion such as is inspired by God's love for and in us), I am only a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers (the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose), and understand all the secret truths and mysteries and possess all knowledge, and if I have [sufficient] faith so that I can remove mountains, but have not love (God's love in me) I am nothing (a useless nobody). Even if I dole out all that I have [to the poor in providing] food, and if I surrender my body to be burned or in order that I may glory, but have not love (God's love in me), I gain nothing.

Aren't those words strong? They are so powerful. It is the conviction of the wrong, and a tremendous invitation for the right. So many in the Church lust after prophetic powers, and I do not think that is wrong. It has its place, but the highest is love.

1 Cor 13:4-8 Amp. Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God's love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong]. It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail. Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening]. Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end]. As for prophecy (the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose), it will be fulfilled and pass away; as for tongues, they will be destroyed and cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away [it will lose its value and be superseded by truth].

Isn't the phrase “superseded by truth” wonderful? I like that.

1 Cor 13:9-13 Amp. For our knowledge is fragmentary (incomplete and imperfect), and our prophecy (our teaching) is fragmentary (incomplete and imperfect). But when the complete and perfect (total) comes, the incomplete and imperfect will vanish away (become antiquated, void, and superseded). When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; now that I have become a man, I am done with childish ways and have put them aside. For now we are looking in a mirror that gives only a dim (blurred) reflection [of reality as in a riddle or enigma], but then [when perfection comes] we shall see in reality and face to face! Now I know in part (imperfectly), but then I shall know and understand fully and clearly, even in the same manner as I have been fully and clearly known and understood [by God]. And so faith, hope, love abide [faith—conviction and belief respecting man's relation to God and divine things; hope—joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation; love—true affection for God and man, growing out of God's love for and in us], these three; but the greatest of these is love.

1 Cor 14:1 Amp. Eagerly pursue and seek to acquire [this] love [make it your aim, your great quest]; and earnestly desire and cultivate the spiritual endowments (gifts), especially that you may prophesy (interpret the divine will and purpose in inspired preaching and teaching).

Eagerly pursue love. It is not a sin to desire to be used in the gifts. God has given them to us for our use to minister to and to bless others. He wants us to desire the gifts. Most of all, desire prophecy because prophecy opens up the things of the kingdom. But above prophecy is love.

To be continued next week.

In His love,
Nita Johnson