The Gifts of the Holy Spirit: - Vital Christianity

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It is no coincidence that Paul wrote his poem on love (I Cor. 13) between his chapters on the
gifts of the Spirit (I Cor. 12; 14) to show that love must always be the sphere in which gifts
are exercised. For love is “the most excellent way” (I Cor. 12:31). No matter how spectacular
our gift may be or what is accomplished with it, if we do not have love, we are nothing, and the
effectiveness of our life amounts to nothing (I Cor. 13:1-13).
DESCRIPTION OF LOVE (I Corinthians 13:4-7)
PATIENT
KIND
NOT ENVIOUS
DOES NOT BOAST
NOT PROUD
NOT RUDE
NOT SELF-SEEKING
NOT EASILY
ANGERED
DOESN’T KEEP A
RECORD OF
WRONGS
DOESN’T DELIGHT IN
EVIL
REJOICES WITH THE
TRUTH
ALWAYS PROTECTS
ALWAYS TRUSTS
ALWAYS HOPES
ALWAYS
PERSEVERES
Love has the ability to endure people without getting angry, no matter what
they say or do.
Love is continually kind and gentle in its desires and demands.
Love is never jealous over how others perform or are appreciated.
Love never emphasizes itself in its outlook or ministry.
Love does not exaggerate or call attention to one’s importance, abilities, or
achievements.
Love is never rude or harsh in the way it is expressed.
Love is not selfish in its outlook or ministry.
Love does not get easily angered by the reactions, criticisms, or attacks of
others.
Love does not calculate how it can get revenge for something said or done to
it.
Love is never happy over the sins and failures of others.
Love always rejoices and feels relieved when the truth is finally known.
Love seeks to cover and protect others rather than expose their sins and faults.
Love is not questioning everything and suspicious of the motives of others. It
gives the benefit of the doubt.
Love continually looks to the future, being optimistic about what God can and
will do.
Love is able to bear up under the pressures of life and the various
circumstances which test our faith in God’s plan and purposes. 1