June 11
The Greatest
Gift
1 Corinthians 13:1-3
If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
Daily Steps
Within the diverse Body of Christ, spiritual gifts are meant to build up, not divide (Day 161). This passage provides the new believer with the essential, ultimate metric for church peace: love is the greatest gift, without which all other actions are meaningless.
The peace in this standard is found in its simplicity:
The Insufficiency of Action: Paul uses extreme examples—speaking with perfect eloquence, having complete knowledge, even sacrificial generosity—to show that high-profile actions or impressive spiritual gifts are empty noise (a resounding gong) if love is absent. This eliminates pride and competition within the community.
Love as the Foundation: Love is the only true measure of spiritual effectiveness. It is the soil in which the fruit of the Spirit (Day 128) grows and the foundation upon which unity is maintained. Without it, even the noblest sacrifice gains nothing.
The Result is Harmony: When believers prioritize love as the highest good, their interactions shift from competition over gifts to mutual care. Love ensures that differences are handled with patience and kindness (1 Cor. 13:4), securing profound fellowship and communal peace.
Your church peace is secured by the absolute priority of love. Focus not on what you possess (gifts) but on the attitude you maintain (love), for this is the greatest gift that brings true harmony.
Reflective Question
In your most recent interaction within your Christian community, did you prioritize demonstrating a spiritual gift (e.g., knowledge, skill) or demonstrating genuine love? What is one specific way you can use a gift or action today with the sole purpose of expressing sincere, humble love?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I confess my temptation to seek recognition through my abilities or spiritual gifts. I pray for the humility to embrace the truth that without love, I am nothing.
Help me to prioritize the greatest gift—Your sacrificial love—in all my fellowship today. May this absolute focus secure the unity and peace of Your Body. Amen.
