THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6
1 Corinthians 13:8-13
1 Corinthians 14:22

“Charity never faileth …”

LOVE IS ETERNAL (II)

What then about tongues? Paul wrote that tongues “shall cease” (1 Cor 13:8). The verb “cease” is pauō from which we get the English word “pause.” It is in the middle voice, thus indicating that tongues will stop on their own. Thus, tongues will stop on their own over the course of time once they have served their purpose. Paul later elaborated on the purpose of tongues in 1 Corinthians 14:22.

Many church fathers, eg. Augustine, attested to the cessation of tongues after the time of the early church. The Sixteenth Century Reformation is widely regarded as the greatest revival since Pentecost (Schaeffer). Yet, there was an absence of tongue-speaking. There was instead much powerful biblical preaching by the Reformers. True revivals in the church are always characterised by much preaching and a passionate dedication to God’s Word (Neh 8).

The sign gifts were temporary. They were only meant for the apostolic age. With the completion of biblical Canon, these sign gifts were withdrawn. Today, we must not look for such signs and wonders. May we not be deceived by the Charismatic Movement.

Instead of these sign gifts, Paul told the Corinthian Christians to pursue the virtues of faith, hope and love. These virtues are superior to the sign gifts because they will abide throughout the age of the Church. Of these three virtues, love is superior because it is eternal. While faith and hope will be realised in eternity, love continues to abide because it is a divine virtue. It will continue to be our motive for service in eternity. We will never cease to love God and His saints in the new heavens and the new earth. Therefore, while we are walking our pilgrim journey in this world, let us continue to pursue love (1 Cor 14:1)!

THOUGHT: The Charismatic Movement is unbiblical.
PRAYER: Lord, teach me to exercise love in everything that I do.