Day 232

Esther 8:1–10:3; 1 Corinthians 12:27–13:13; Psalm 37:1-11; Proverbs 21:23-24

THE BOOK OF Esther reached its conclusion today with Mordecai becoming the most influential voice in the king’s life and the Jewish people being rescued from annihilation. In fact, rather than being destroyed, the Hebrew people were given permission to band together and defend themselves, resulting in the destruction of their enemies.

In 1 Corinthians, we reached one of the most venerated and well-known portions in all the Bible —the love chapter. Most of us are aware of —and many can quote —1 Corinthians 13. What is less known is its context.

In yesterday’s reading, Paul began to discuss spiritual gifting. He shared how each person is uniquely gifted and that together, these gifts serve the whole. He then described the way in which the human body has many parts —both seen and unseen. All the different parts of the human body are needed to make up the whole, and so it is with the body of Christ. We are each uniquely gifted and placed and have full permission to be exactly who we were created to be. In fact, we must become exactly who we were created to be for the body to thrive.

Today, Paul discussed the different kinds of posts that might be filled out of these giftings —apostles, prophets, teachers, miracle workers, those with the gift of healing, helpers, those with leadership and administration gifts, and those who can speak in unknown languages.

Paul essentially asked, “Can all of us be all of these things?” The answer, of course, was no. But one animating force empowers each of these posts, gifts, and parts of the body: love. Which brought us to the love chapter.

“Let me show you a way of life that is best of all” (1 Corinthians 12:31), Paul said as he moved into one of his most celebrated writings.

Paul then began to name the gifts and posts, revealing that each of them would be nothing —no matter how celebrated —without love. Love is what enables our gifts to be used properly. It is what empowers us to assume roles of service. And it is what holds the body of Christ together. Or as Jesus put it, “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples” (John 13:35).

In this chapter, Paul revealed the characteristics that must become ubiquitous to all for us to be fully empowered to use our irreplaceable and unique gifting within the body of Christ:

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

Paul told us that all our giftedness is partial and incomplete and will one day be rendered useless, in the same way that we put away childish things as we mature into adulthood. In other words, it is not our giftedness that represents our standing in the body; it is our love. Our gifting is simply our type of service to one another, but our love is what binds us together.

“Three things will last forever,” Paul said, “faith, hope, and love —and the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13). May we focus our energy and attention on these things, for not only do they animate our gifts and talents but also they will stay with us when everything else fades away.

MEDITATION:

Be still in the presence of the LORD, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes.