Insightful Musings on the Scriptures
by
Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67
Good day, dear ones.
My plans for the rest of the morning have just changed. Thano has all kinds of ways to alter plans. This time I will help him out by running his truck up to Vancouver, WA, to get a good deal on a set of tires—saving him about $800 from what he planned to do. I really should be running that sawmill. And this is welcome weather for it—overcast and cooler.
Since you were trying to have a blessed day yesterday, try to do it again today. And we’ll trust Him for the outcome.
Love, Dad/Ray.
My guess is that you will come up with a lot of questions and uncertainties of your own as you read this 14th chapter of 1 Corinthians. Rather than spending a lot of effort here trying to get it all figured out and placed in nice tidy little boxes, let’s just pick up and run with the first verse as it presents such a clear and concise standard for guidance as we navigate through the terrain of “churchianity” (the broad-spectrum, visible, and observable representation of the Perfect Body of Christ via the medium of imperfect people—I just made up this definition—I think it fits).
“Follow the way of love.” Love has already been established as a priority motivation in relation to both God and man. God’s love received is designed by the Giver to enlighten and empower us to become channels of that love to others.
“Eagerly desire spiritual gifts.” Understand that the purpose of your existence is to serve the Giver of “spiritual gifts.” And serving the Giver involves serving the needs of others—those who are in as much need of the spiritual love gift of God as you are.
“Especially the gift of prophecy.” My understanding is that “prophecy,” in the sense intended here, is simply the clear, intelligent, Spirit-inspired, and practical communication of the things of God to other needy people. I believe I can pretty much guarantee that if you are capable of intelligence and will read your Bible with A HEART AFTER GOD, you cannot avoid engaging in the Spirit-inspired “gift of prophecy.” Think about it. But don’t stop there.