For you may be giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not being built up. I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. Nevertheless,
in church I would rather speak five words with my mind in order to
instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue. 1 Corinthians 14:17-19
I continue my study looking at the life of Paul using John Piper's 30 Reasons Why I Love the Apostle Paul. Today, I move to chapter fourteen - Turning High Thoughts to the Help of the Lowly. Here, John Piper emphasizes his love for Paul due to Paul's ability to be both profound and practical. There are no doubts that Paul had "soaring spiritual insight and wisdom,*" but he did not allow himself to be puffed up to the extent that he could not relate to ordinary people and serve their needs. Piper shares 1 Corinthians 14:17-19 and uses this text to describe how Paul sought to encourage Believers in their faith - so that all grow in devotion and love of Christ. Love God and love others - with the latter being done in such a way that all are served in their journey with Christ.
Comment and discuss this post.
My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a gracious God who humbled himself on a cross and died so that others can be saved have life - both to the full on this earth and for eternity. Instead of pursuing Your own needs and emphasizing Your own status, You pursued others and saved them. Thank You Jesus for Your love me and desire for others. I am not deserving of Your love. My sin is great and it continues...daily. Please forgive me and help me turn from and overcome such sin and turn towards You. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
