The Ministry of the Spirit is Love

The Holy Spirit came down upon those gathered at Pentecost in a mighty rush of wind, flames of fire, and the ability to speak and understand different languages. Though the Spirit’s presence is seen in signs and wonders in Scripture, the greatest ministry of the Spirit is love.

In his first letter to the Corinthians, the Apostle Paul addressed a conflict at this church over the
expression of spiritual gifts. Some Christians thought certain gifts (like speaking in tongues), were
better than others, and other Christians who didn’t express these gifts were feeling “second class.”

To address this controversy, Paul encourages these Christians to strive for the greater gifts. Paul
believes the way to do this is through love. In 1 Corinthians 13:1-3, Paul writes:

“If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a
clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and
if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away all my
possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.”

Paul describes the love given by the Spirit as patient and kind; not envious, boastful or arrogant.
It seeks others’ wellbeing above its own and rejoices in all that is good and truthful (1 Cor. 13:4-7).
Love is the real evidence of the Spirit’s work. Other spiritual gifts are important, but if love is not
present, they mean nothing.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “We must discover the power of love, the redemptive
power of love. And when we discover that, we will be able to make of this old world a new world.
Love is the only way.” Let us walk in this way of love in the Holy Spirit’s power!

Blessings,

Pastor Hilary Livingston