Dear Lord have mercy. How in the name of God, did some of us begin to think we knew everything? What could have possibly led us to believe, that we had all of the revelation of God’s Word. How could we declare, that we were the only ones right, and all those who did not see it the way we did, were wrong, and even going to hell? Why did the church we belonged to, think we had already been perfected; that we knew all about God’s ways; we couldn’t possibly err?

I believe, that everyone of us who say we are Christians, those who declare they are filled with the Holy Ghost [Holy Spirit], need to stop this moment and go to that Book we all brag about. We need to re-read the 13th chapter of first Corinthians. Paul talked about how spiritual some of us might could be. To me, this is one of the most simple lessons he ever taught; it’s easy to understand, it’s to the point, and it pulls no punches. Charity. What does it mean? It means benevolence or generosity toward others; indulgence or forbearance in judging others; a kindly and lenient attitude towards people; love of one’s fellow men; Christian love (agape-spiritual love); kindness, love, pity, goodness; brotherly love. And giving alms to those in need.

Did the apostle not say clearly, “for we know in part, and we prophesy in part” (1 Corinthians 13:9)? When we look through this glass, we only see part of what is behind it. We could not possibly see all there is to know about the Spirit. Nobody, has all of the revelation of God; nor do they have all of the understanding of it either. He went on to say, “When that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away with” (1 Corinthians 13:10). Why did we think the words “for the perfecting of the saints” was written there. We have never come to that fullness in Christ that we read about.

I once heard old folk, those who had studied the Bible all of their lives, say that they were continually learning from God’s Word; after all those years, the Spirit was yet revealing things to them, they did not know. An unending learning.

Back in the old day, there was an expression they used. I don’t wish to sound disrespectful or curt; not in any way. But this adage reminds me, that there was a time, when our spirit was different. It said, “You will never win people to the Lord, using an axe and two thirty-eights.” Please do not be offended; this statement reminded us of what was most important. What do we obtain, if we are filled with the Holy Ghost and do not manifest the fruit of it? Regardless of what some people think, is it not true, that the Spirit is revealing things to people right now? But how are we going about it?

This man of God said, when I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child. We were supposed to mature. Thinking we know everything is not mature; hurting people over what we believe, is not charity; it is not love. Is it possible, that many of us, do not even know what love is. THIS chapter, tells us, how real love acts. This is where the term we don’t like, “puffed-up,” comes from. Love is not envious. And it does not try to set itself up above others, or promote itself. What good does it do to have a faith, if we don’t have charity. That which is perfect, has not come yet. But it will. We don’t know it all; but one day, if we get this right, we will sit at His feet; and then we’ll know. There is always room, for more light.

Robert Blackburn