“But earnestly desire and strive for the greater gifts [if acquiring them is going to be your goal]. And yet I will show you a still more excellent way [one of the choicest graces and the highest of them all: unselfish love].”
1 Corinthians 12:31 AMP
My husband and I have moved from just running,
to weight training,
and now we’ve set sights on an even better way-
Cross fit.
It’s a blend of both-cardio and strength-
Working the whole body over.
I think it displays this verse in a word picture.
There are all sorts of gifts, being worked out from The Spirit.
The same way there are all sorts of ways to work out.
But Paul describes a more excellent way than simply having these varieties.
I saw it, when I saw the word unselfish this morning, as un-selfing.
Getting rid of self.
Shedding self!
That’s what we’re doing by losing excess weight in the natural.
But God wants that for us in the Spirit.
Where self dies, God’s presence manifests.
Just like those abs that were buried!
Self says to stay in bed, or on the couch.
Spiritually speaking, that same self says, stay comfortable.
But both sides of self, when told what to do, by the Power of the Spirit, brings results to others.
I was reminded yesterday that the physical aspect of life comes first.
Then the spiritual.
Decision proceeds dominion.
So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. 1 Corinthians 15: 42-44
We sow our natural response first, then comes the power of the Spirit!
Hallelujah.
Join with us will you- for the most excellent way-
Un-self!