When cooking, there are ingredients we use that go best together. Olive oil and garlic are good together, add a little salt and chili and you have a simple but flavourful dish.
The same thing is true with spiritual things. There are some things God intended to go together. They simply work best together and will produce the most fruit together.
We see this in the below scripture:
1 Corinthians 14:1 Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. (ESV)
The Lord is telling us that love and spiritual gifts go best together. Here are some thoughts along these lines:
Notice we pursue love and desire spiritual gifts versus pursuing spiritual gifts and desiring love.
By pursuing love first, it positions us to be used in spiritual gifts and it also assures our motives are correct for desiring spiritual gifts.
It’s best to love the people we minister to, because love edifies or builds up.
Look how Paul the apostle talked about the people he ministered to.
1 Thessalonians 2:8 So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us. (ESV)
Let’s all remember that love opens the door to fruitful ministry. Love and spiritual gifts simply go best together.
Every blessing to each of you,
Tony