“What if I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t LOVE (agapē: God’s unconditional unselfish love) OTHERS, I would only be a NOISY GONG or a CLANGING CYMBAL (just a lot of meaningless noise). If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but DIDN’T LOVE OTHERS, I would BE NOTHING. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have GAINED NOTHING.” (1 Corin. 13:1-3)
Paul has shown that to exercise even the most powerful and impressive spiritual gifts without love makes those gifts MEANINGLESS and the one using them “NOTHING.” Paul goes on to say, “If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, BUT DIDN’T LOVE OTHERS, I WOULD BE NOTHING. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.” (1 Corin. 13:2-3)
TOMMY, Jesus one time, told a rich young ruler, “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven…” (Mark 10:21). Surely anyone who would actually do such a thing would have reached the height of Christian spirituality. And yet, Paul insists, to do so WITHOUT LOVE for others gains the giver NOTHING AT ALL. So, we must be filled up with Christ’s love, ready to POUR IT OUT ON OTHERS…
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham