PURSUIT OF LOVE

By Lahry Sibley
1 Cor 14: 1 EAGERLY PURSUE and seek to acquire [this] love [make
it your aim, your great quest]; and earnestly desire and cultivate the
spiritual endowments (gifts), especially that you may prophesy
(interpret the divine will and purpose in inspired preaching and
teaching).

This verse sets a course in one’s life that is unstoppable. For the pursuit of
love is the pursuit of Christ in us, the hope of glory. It is a passionate quest
to attain the very characteristics of God. If we are busy pursuing God and
His love, then we do not have time for other pursuits that may become
carnal and tainted. We cast aside every weight that slows us and keeping us
from the real fruits of the Spirit made manifest in our lives.

In the great 12th chapter of the book of Romans, Paul ends the chapter with
this same course setting. He said in vs 21, “be not overcome with evil, but
overcome evil with good”.

One who seeks a life of love is a person who is overcoming evil in their life.
They are constantly looking for opportunities to give of themselves that the
lives of others may be blessed in some way or another. Many of these noble
pursuits are found in Isaiah 58 and Matthew 25:31-46.

Our life becomes no longer ours to live, but His life to live in us and through
us. His life in us is a life of love. It is His image and likeness in us. Complete
success in life is living a life of love. For we know that love never fails. Never
means just exactly that. Love always succeeds. Even with our enemies. They
can rise up to challenge for power, but they are powerless over love.

Then Paul tells us that we are to cultivate our “spiritual gifts”. What does
that mean? Well many folks have never bothered to unwrap their spiritual
gifts, must less use them. Remember that we talked about their uses as
tools for ministry? How can you use something you don’t even know you
have? What an insult to the gift giver, that the gift has not even enough
value to you, to be unwrapped. Oh my. Think about it.
So even though we have spiritual gifts, if we do not make use of them, what
good are they, and more, what good are WE? We become a tree that bears
no fruit. And we all know what happens to those kinds of trees.

I’ve heard children speak profound truths. I’ve seen street people who had
more spiritual connection with God than one can imagine of an Apostle. I’ve
read things written down by the most unlikely “looking” people, that brought
forth rivers of tears in worship and thanksgiving. The gift of prophesy
discerns the very heart desire of God, and His will for our day and time, in
our own life and the lives of others. Then it expresses it in a way that it
applies directly to the heart and life of those who hear it. They bring
revelation light to the Scriptures, and the scriptures suddenly become alive
inside the listener. The heart rate quickens, and the soul thrills to more of
God being revealed and manifested within. Glory to God!

Paul encourages us to desire these gifts, and use them. It has nothing to do
with the wisdom, education, and knowledge men may possess. It has
everything to do with living a life that is connected to God 24/7. It is the life
of God on display before whosoever will listen and be blessed.

Will you let God speak to your heart today, about what He would have you
to know, what He would have you to do? Maybe it could be just as simple as
being still in Him, and asking Him to have His own way in you. “Lord, give
me a peace about letting you be my Lord, directing my every step, my every
word, my every breath.” “Give me rest today, in your all sufficiency.” “Give
me confidence in Your all provision for life and love.” “Lord, make me a lover
today, a lover of my Lord, and a love for my neighbor”.

There could never be a better day to love God than today. There could never
be a better day to love your neighbor, than today. Love never fails. Selah -
Lahry