The Fruit of the Spirit 8 (The way of Love)

In today's article, I will start showing how the Holy Spirit used Paul to explain this wonder “kingdom must possess nature” called Love from the book of 1 Corinthians 13. This chapter is so unique, and its placement is much more fascinating. 

In Chapter 12 of the book of 1 Corinthians, Paul talked about the diverse giftings we have in the body of Christ. He established that one's gift is not above another (1 Corinthians 12:14-18). 

In chapter 14, Paul talked about how to engage all these giftings alright. He gave the church the proper perspective on how to operate in God's gift and grace. “Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.” I Corinthians 14:1‬ ‭‬‬ 


In the middle of chapters 12 and 14, there is chapter 13. If I were to be the one to arrange the book of Corinthians, I would have put chapters 12 and 14 together because chapter 14 is the continuation of Chapter 12. However, the Holy Spirit internationally places chapter 13 in the middle to show a revelation. This beautiful and unique arrangement (which is a characteristic of how the Scriptures were arranged) tells us that the Scriptures were not arranged by the rationale of man. But the Holy Spirit, the author of the scripture, intentionally organizes all the dots, words, sentences, verses, and chapters uniquely to communicate to us. 

So, with this unique arrangement, what the Holy Spirit is communicating to us is that Love (the theme of this chapter 13) has to be that which our giftings must revolve around. It has to be the pivot through which our giftings must operate! 


In fact, in the last verse of chapter 12, Paul calls Love “the more excellent way.” That means that Love exceeds all of these gifts of the Holy Spirit put together. 

Today, the quest, passions, and desires (especially from the young ones) are to manifest one gift or the other. In numerous instances, those passions have become lust. So I ask myself, “What if these young believers are much more desirous to operate and manifest the love of Christ?” How wonderful will it be? How great will we be able to affect our generation and show forth the true nature of the Saviour, Jesus? Unfortunately, that is not the case in considerable instances. 


The way of Love is the “more” excellent way, yet many Christians do not desire to walk in that way. That is why we are not effectively using our giftings the way God wants them to be because the Love of Christ is not the pivot on which these gifts operate. 


Therefore, until we prioritize the love of Christ: knowing and understanding and seeing that we walk and live in it above everything else, we will be busy doing our thing and going our ways. We need to start evaluating ourselves in the savior's love. That is the way our giftings can transform and change life. 

You cannot just walk anyhow you want to. It has to be the excellent way—Love because you are a royal priesthood and peculiar being. You are to show forth the praises of the one who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. Therefore, our hearts must desire to walk in God's love above everything else. 


Yours in Christ

Peter Ayoola Fakeye


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