Day 24 - The DNA of Ministry
Scripture Passage: 1 Corinthians 13:8-13
Focal Verses: Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end. ~ 1 Corinthians 13:8 (CSB)
It’s hard to believe that it’s been about seventy-odd years since the double-helix structure of DNA was discovered by James Watson and Francis Click. For many, 73 years might seem like a long time ago, but when you consider the grand scope of human existence on earth (roughly ten thousand years if you’re a young earth believer like me), seventy isn’t long at all.
Even more amazing is what we’ve done with that discovery since then. Modern genetic marvels are bringing back long extinct animals via CRISPR technology (for better or worse). We’re able to use our knowledge of DNA to trace our family trees. Cure inherited disease. And in forensics, we use it to both identify unidentifiable dead people, as well as finger suspects in grisly murders.
What’s really amazing from a forensics perspective is that long after someone has passed away and practically turned to dust, viable DNA can often still be found on strands of hair still affixed to the deceased’s skull (or in bone marrow or teeth). How is it possible for a person’s DNA to exist long after that person is dead? Because DNA was never alive. It’s more like a hodgepodge of seemingly random chemicals and proteins bonding together to form more complex, living organisms. In other words, DNA builds life. It is the LEGO set of life. It is the thing on which all life is constructed.
In much the same way, Paul attributes Love as the genetic code that builds all of the spiritual gifts bestowed on us by God. To carry the theme on from the previous few verses, Paul is demonstrating here that our gifts of prophecies, tongues, knowledge, etc will all one day come to end…so once again, don’t get haughty over them.
Why will they come to an end? Because one day, the purpose of those gifts will be finished. One day, Christ will return and carry His church home. One day, this cursed old earth will be done away with to make room for a brand new creation.
And among all those fancy spiritual gifts we’ve been given, only one gift will remain when it’s all said and done: Love.
Yes, by comparing love with the spiritual gifts of wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, performing miracles, prophecy, discernment, tongues, and interpretation of tongues, he’s definitely listing ‘love’ as an actual spiritual gift. I believe some people have a natural affinity for love because it was gifted to them by God. As a stoic investigator of the dead, I rather envy those people. But not having the spiritual gift of Love doesn’t excuse me from demonstrating it in my life and ministry. It doesn’t excuse any of us from ensuring the manifestation of our own spiritual gifts aren’t done so out of love itself.
Love, after all, is the DNA of our spiritual gifts. It’s the genetic makeup of any ministry we do in our Christian walk…or it should be. Love is the building block of everything we’re to be doing in the name of Christ because, I’ll point out, that Christ is the DNA of Love. Without Him, there is no love. At least, not true love.
Always remember that as you minister for the Lord. Always keep in mind that by using our gifts, we are carrying out Christ’s love for each other, as well as for the Lost.
Father God, thank you for the love you bestow on us whether we deserve it or not. Help us to reflect that same love in everything we do so the rest of the world can see your love manifested in our lives. Help us to never lose sight of your profound and unending love for us.