We, Christians, have a tendency to equate gifts (or talents) with maturity. For example, if someone is great at teaching the Bible, we think that person is spiritually mature and close to God. Or if a person has a supernatural gift, such as a gift of healing, we think that person must be very close to God.

And then we hear of scandals involving those very people and we are shocked. How can people who are so gifted in spiritual matters, who are supposedly so holy, succumb to such common sins?

That tells us that we made wrong associations. Spiritual gifts do not equal spiritual maturity. Do not assume that a person who can speak in tongues, knows the Bible inside out, can tell the future (prophecy), leads a large church is necessarily mature in Christ.

This is the point Paul makes to the Corinthians. The Corinthians were some of the most gifted people. God has given them abundance of spiritual gifts (1 Cor 1:5,6). And yet, they were spiritually immature. (1 Cor. 3:1).

What does Paul look at to judge them to be spiritually immature? Division. Lack of love. Selfishness… (1 Cor. 3:3)

Most of us will have to admit that we follow leaders who are gifted and talented. This is true even in churches. Usually pastors and teachers with greatest gifts wield a greatest following. They (wrongly) assume their leader to be the closest to God because of his/her great gifts. But as we have seen in 1 Corinthians, that is not necessarily true.

What should we look at? More importantly, how should we judge our own spiritual progress? By how we love.

Is pretty much everything you do for yourself and your family only? How much of your anxieties are about the well-being of others outside of your family? What percentage of your prayers are things concerning others rather than just you?

You can’t conjure up love that is not in you. Ask God. Humbly. Let Him infuse you with His love and fill you with joy everlasting. Then you can love others.
PH