Hence we may argue Fifth, from the infinitely more excellent fruit of that [saving] grace, which is the effect of the ordinary gifts of the Spirit, than of the extraordinary gifts, since grace is saving but those extraordinary gifts are not. The Apostle tells us in the text that those extraordinary gifts of the Spirit profit nothing without charity [love]. A man may have them and go to hell. Judas Iscariot had them, and is gone to hell. And Christ tells us of many, who have had these extraordinary gifts, whom he will bid in that day to depart from him as workers of iniquity. “Many will say unto me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you; depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matt. 7:22-23). And therefore when Christ promised the disciples the extraordinary gifts of the Spirit, such as casting out devils, and other extraordinary gifts, he bids them not to rejoice that the devils were subject to them; but rather that they should rejoice because their names were written in heaven; intimating that men may have this power of casting out devils, and their names not be written in heaven (Luke 10:20). This shows that grace which is the effect of the ordinary gift of the Spirit is infinitely a greater blessing than the extraordinary, since it carries eternal life in it. Eternal life is a thing of infinite worth and value. And that must be an excellent blessing indeed which has this as the fruit of it. The value of any possession is known by the fruit or profit which is obtained by it. “Better is the end of a thing, than the beginning thereof” (Eccles. 7:8). By this therefore, that blessing of the grace of God which is the fruit of the ordinary gifts of the Spirit is infinitely more precious than that of the extraordinary gifts.
~Jonathan Edwards~
Charity and Its Fruits: Living in the Light of God’s Love (Wheaton, IL; Crossway Books; 2012) p. 69
The Old Guys 