Verse 1 of that very enlightening chapter says: "If i speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I'm only a resounding gong..." Many of us pride ourselves in the good works that we do, and in our 'spirituality' but continue to struggle with showing love to people around us. Having charisma, being eloquent and loving to be around people aren't negative attributes to possess. But not being these things out of love is what's wrong. Doing it to be seen as 'a good person' doesn't please God or earn any lasting rewards except perhaps a momentary applause. And to be a resounding gong is to be a noisemaking, repetitive but fruitless human! Doesn't sound good at all does it?
Continuing on in vs 2 "...If i can fathom all mysteries... and i have faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing" This is a good one! In our world today, there's so much pride in possessing knowledge, and flaunting it. Even faith could be flaunted when it's used to put someone else down instead of encouraging them along life's journey. The world has had enough of 'holier-than-thou' attitudes of some christians. We cannot shove faith down their throat, blast their ears with the trumpets of truth, and SHOW THEM NO LOVE! Without love, we are nothing.
And then vs 3, "Though i bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and give my body to be burned, and have not love, it profits me nothing." This verse ties back in to the pharisee-like mentality i discussed in part 1. Which in a nutshell means being a hypocrite who looks the part but isn't a genuine follower. It's no lie that God seeks sincere people, who will not deny their imperfection but embrace Him to work IN them to attain the desired perfection.
So the news flash is this: You & I don't have to TRY to be good! We simply have to let love in....and remember God is that Love. The more His love is perfected in us, by our allowance of it; then can we more effectively give to others.
More on Love to be contd. in next post...
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