Description
The Paramount Importance of Love in Our Gifts
In this episode, we reflect on 1 Corinthians 13:2, where Paul emphasises … (visit YouTube for more)
Transcript
Are we prophets? Are we wise? Do we have great faith? That alone doesn’t make us special. 1 Corinthians 13 verse 2: And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
Paul is very clear that the way we direct our lives, the motivations in our heart the stirrings of the Spirit within us, they are all vitally important when it comes down to how we interact with each other, with the world. We may be supremely gifted, but if we operate without love, if we operate without kindness and compassion, we are going to cause pain and suffering.
Under those circumstances, I, says Paul, am nothing. What is the point even of me if I can do all these things, but do it unlovingly? Paul holds up a mirror to us in this very famous chapter, and we should look into that mirror.
In my behaviour, in my attitudes, am I operating out of love? Do I have kindness, compassion towards everyone around me? Am I seeking their best welfare?
Sometimes it’s very hard for us to answer this question. So we need to submit ourselves to the scrutiny of Scripture and the scrutiny of the Holy Spirit as He works within us. And we should pray an honest prayer to God, asking Him to change us, asking Him to direct our motivations. And I say, let’s do that now.
Lord God, you have gifted us all in different ways, but these gifts are of no consequence if we are not aligning ourselves with your character, if we are not going your way. And your way, Lord, it includes justice, but it also includes love. You are supremely loving, God, and we must be too, in all that you have given to us, whether gifts or material goods or time, all of this. Help us, Lord, to be loving in all that we say and think and do, so that we do not tarnish the gospel or bring you, our Lord, into disrepute. Amen.
