Look carefully at your call, brothers and sisters. By human standards, not many of you are deemed to be wise. Not many are considered powerful. Not many of you come from royalty, right?

A person who walks by the Spirit examines everything, sizing it up and seeking out truth. But no one is able to examine or size up that kind of spiritual person,

I am not telling you all this so that you’ll feel guilty or be ashamed of how you have acted. I am only trying to warn you, just as a father would warn his children.

I can hear some of you saying, “For me, all things are permitted.” But face the facts: all things are not beneficial. So you say, “For me, all things are permitted.” Here’s my response: I will not allow anything to control me.

So imitate me, watch my ways, follow my example, just as I, too, always seek to imitate the Anointed One.

So in everything strive to love. Passionately seek the gifts of the Spirit, especially the gift of prophecy.

It’s the same with you; in your passion for spiritual gifts, seek to strengthen the community of believers, and you will all be better off.