Samuel Wright Ministries
Morning Manna: March 24, 2025
Thou I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.
1 Corinthians 13: 1 NKJV
The tension between the purpose and power of the church age and the debilitating spirit of the post-modern age has become obvious to most Christians.
We may not be able to identify the root of the tension. Perhaps we identify the struggle as spiritual warfare. Aptly so. However, the fight is nonetheless real!
We wrestle not against flesh and blood. Ephesians 6:12
Sadly, I have observed that we have unwittingly fallen into the trap of excellence at the expense of God ordained authenticity.
In other words, within the body of Christ there is an overwhelming appetite for academic excellence, self-aggrandizement and inordinate power.
That spirit is reminiscent of the Genesis account of the fall of Lucifer.
- “I will ascend into
- I will exalt
- I will also sit
- I will ascend above
- I will be like the “Most High.” Isaiah 14:12 – 14 NKJV
The pursuit of academic excellence is a worthy one.
To be spoken well of is honorable.
Affluence and influence are commendable.
The challenge is one of perspective!
The issue is one of motivation.
The Apostle Paul wrote to the church at Corinth to correct some errant ways that found its way into the local assembly.
Not unlike the time in which Paul penned the epistle to the church, we find ourselves in pursuit of fame, fortune, influence, power absent of the most important ingredient that distinguishes the church from the world system. LOVE.
God’s love for man was expressed through the incarnation of Christ.
His love was and is redemptive.
The plan and purpose for preparing us for service is to demonstrate His love for the world.
I am afraid that we have erred. The pursuit of excellence without God’s motivation has pulled us away from the truth of God’s word.
His love is not rooted in gender or racial superiority. It was not designed to tout nationalism. It certainly is not an opportunity to exact retribution or lawlessness, nor is it an opportunity to gain fame, fortune or high finance.
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As we prepare to celebrate Holy week, Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday, we would do well to consider the words of Jesus.
“A new commandment I give to you that you love one another, as I have loved you, that you love one another. John 13:34
God sent His Son to redeem man.
Christ died for the ungodly (a world polluted by sin.)
The Lamb paid the ultimate price for our fallen state. That’s love.
Our responsibility is to emulate the messenger and His message.
Live, love and serve so that the world will know that Jesus lives.
Love suffers long and is kind; lover does not envy; love does not parade itself; is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil, does not rejoice in iniquity but rejoices in truth ; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.
1 Corinthians 13:4 -8a
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