The Most Excellent Way

By Sidharth Mohandas

Introduction

In our previous articles we shared with you on how important it is to actively desire the supernatural gifts that Abba has offered to us through His Spirit.

Paul, after instructing us to actively desire these gifts, goes on to say something that he considered more important. He says, “And now I will show you the most excellent way” (1 Corinthians 12:31). The Greek word for excellent here is “huperbole”, which means “supereminence” or “something of the highest priority”. What is this “way” that is super eminent to even charisma? It is the force of the highest order – love or simply the fruit of the Spirit.  (1 Corinthians 13:1-3, Galatians 5:22)

Gifts of the Spirit vs. Fruit of the Spirit (Love)

Let me use a common analogy to distinguish the gifts of the Spirit from the fruit of the Spirit. The gifts of the Spirit can be likened to the gifts hung on a Christmas tree, while the fruit of the Spirit can be likened to the fruit that  naturally grows on a tree. We hang gifts on a Christmas tree by one single act. In the same manner, God imparts the gifts of the Spirit to us also by a single act. On the other hand, the fruit of the Spirit is an outcome of growth over a period of time, just how the fruit on a tree is the result of growth over time.

Let us now take some time to evaluate ourselves to see whether we bear this fruit. Are we abiding in Abba’s love? We may have imparted healing to the sick, worked miracles or operated in the prophetic, but how much of it was done with a motive to express Abba’s love? Paul tells us that if we operate in the gifts and do not have love, we amount to nothing on God’s scales. We should never make the mistake of equating the manifestations of the Spirit in a person, to maturity or well-developed character.

King Saul, for example, had received the gift of prophecy when Abba anointed him. We also find that even after King Saul fell and the Spirit of God left him (1 Samuel 16:14), he was able to operate in the prophetic gift (1 Samuel 19:23). Balaam is another baffling combination of supernatural spiritual gifts and a corrupt character. In spite of the greed and avarice in his life, he could still operate in the prophetic gift. Why was this so? It is because God’s gifts and callings are irrevocable (Romans 11:29). This means that once Abba gives you a gift, He will not take it back.

Now, how are the takeaways from these examples applicable to our daily lives? First, we need to raise our standards for discernment. Just because someone operates in some supernatural gift, we cannot blindly conclude that he belongs to the Lord. Remember, Jesus’ criterion for discernment was the fruit of the Spirit (Matthew 7:15-19). He said, “Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from Me, you evildoers!’” (Matthew 7:22-23).

Abiding in Love

Well, now that we have placed ‘love’ on a higher plane than the ‘gifts of the Spirit’ should we start treating the gifts of the Spirit with contempt? By no means! In fact, a person who is walking in the love of God will all the more want to see the gifts of the Spirit operating in his life. Why? This is because his focus is on profit-for-others and not profit-for-self.

What is the secret to walking in the love of God? It starts off by you and I experiencing Abba’s love at a personal level – as simple as that! This is a truth that the majority of Christians have overlooked. A person who has experienced Abba’s love and who continues to abide in it will automatically bear the fruit and keep on growing in love for others.

Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. (1 John 4:11). 

In other words, it is impossible for a person who has met with Abba not to grow in love! Let me explain why. Have you ever tried spending time with someone who has a character superior to yours? You would have noticed that shortly afterwards, his or her character has started to rub off on you. The same goes for the Lord. When you fellowship with Him, His love rubs off on you and you naturally start loving others the way He does.

Our heart’s desire here at Imrah is to see the body of believers established in the Word, not only getting developed in charisma but also in character. With this, we come to an end of the Gifts of the Spirit series. 

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