Scripture:
[8] Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. [9] For we know in part and we prophesy in part, [10] but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. [11] When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. [12] For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.
Observation:
Spiritual Gifts without love..
While Spiritual gifts are important and we need to use our gifts according to God’s will, if we don’t use our gifts with the love of Jesus Christ, what we do is meaningless and we are nothing.
Spiritual Gifts are partial..
Since we are not God, we are not omniscient and our gifts of knowledge, prophecy, and the others, are only partial. Mirrors were not so great when Paul wrote to the church at Corinth. Seeing in a mirror was really seeing a reflection in a polished piece of metal – not so clear. Just, as Paul says, our Spiritual gifts are only partial until we see God face to face.
Spiritual Gifts will no longer be needed..
Just as life on this earth is fleeting, so is the need of Spiritual gifts. There will come a time when the gifts will pass away and we no longer need them. This isn’t something that happens as we mature in our Christian walk, it happens when we meet God face to face to live with him for eternity. Gifts of the Spirit are no longer needed or useful.
We will then have full knowledge of God. Not that we will know all, as God is omniscient, but we will know God as fully and deeply as he knows us.
Application:
We are blessed with the Holy Spirit and Spiritual gifts that we are called to apply with love, to and for others. It matters far less what our gifts may be than how we use them. If we use our gifts in any way other than through the love of Christ then it means nothing. You aren’t just racking up judgement points.
Also know that, as refined as we may think we are in a Spiritual gifting sense, we are only partially complete. We are not fully refined. Until we meet the Lord face to face, the refinement or completeness of our Spiritual gifting is like looking into a blurry mirror with room for plenty of improvement.
While we will never really know the Lord fully until we are face to face, we can try to know him more and more. What are my Spiritual gifts? How does God want me to apply them? What is his will for me? How do I love like he loves? This is the journey..
Prayer:
Lord thank you for filling me with your Spirit. Thank you for the Spiritual gifts you have given to me through grace. Lord I don’t deserve it. Until you call me home and I meet you fact to face, show me your way and help me apply my gifts with humility, always showing your love. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, amen.