Journey Through The Bible
     Old Testament Reading: Psalms 119
     New Testament Reading: 1 Corinthians 13

If I speak human or angelic tongues but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith so that I can move mountains but do not have love, I am nothing. And if I give away all my possessions, and if I give over my body in order to boast but do not have love, I gain nothing (1 Corinthians 13:1-3)

First Corinthians 13 is one of the most well-known chapters of the Bible. Often, we hear this beautiful description of love read at weddings. The words have been set to music, creating sweet love songs and serve as the text for sentimental sermons on love.

Unfortunately, most Christians do not understand Paul is still dealing with the Corinthian’s problems concerning Spiritual Gifts. There was an abuse of the gift of tongues, selfish envy of each other’s gifts, arrogant pride in possessing certain gifts, all causing division in the church.

This section of Paul’s teaching begins with the last verse of chapter 12, And I will show you an even better way (1 Cor 12:31b). It provides instruction to all believers in God’s priority for ministry. Instead of selfishly desiring showy gifts which they don’t have, Believers should pursue the greatest thing of all – love for one another.

Love is essential to our Christian walk and ministries. The presence of love is so vital that without it, the gifts given to us by The Holy Spirit are worthless. Without love, the most eloquent impressive Bible lesson would sound like a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. Without love – prophecy, knowledge, and faith are nothing, they are empty. And the most unselfish sacrificial acts are worthless.

We must always test our motives for everything we do. Do we serve in the church out of loving obedience to the Lord, or in doing so, are we fulfilling a selfish need in our own lives? Do we teach the Bible to proudly show others how much we know, or are we motivated by the desire to help others grow in their faith and walk closer with the Lord? Is our ministry motivated by personal ambition and conceit or by a loving concern for the needs of others?

If our actions do not reflect the love of God, they will have no power and will certainly not last (1 Cor. 3:11–15). Love releases the power of the Spirit in our lives and edifies the church.