“And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not love, I am nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:2). Paul says in verse 2 a repeat of what he said in verse 1: without Agape love, all the spiritual and ministry gifts have no power.
He was not minimizing the gifts of prophecy, word of knowledge, or faith, but maximizing the importance of agape love in using these gifts. Because these gifts are not about us and how spiritual we can present ourselves. These gifts are how we love others as He has loved us. Loving others sometimes means we keep our mouths shut. Sometimes it means we wait. Sometimes it means we do what we would rather not do. It means caring when we’d rather not care. It means sacrificing when we’d prefer to harvest. Love means giving when we’d rather receive.
Love overshadows all the spiritual gifts with all their power. Love melts hard hearts, but must be manifested. Love that doesn’t take some action really isn’t love at all.
If a church has a lot of solid Bible teaching, but no love, people’s lives won’t be touched. If there are a lot of spiritual gifts moving in a local church, but lack of love keeps those gifts only within the church family, people’s lives won’t be changed.
Many Christians are always searching for more signs and wonders because they want a quick fix for their problems, but they never deal with the real issues. Its like one who hopes to win the big lottery but never deals with his/her own greed. So they never become rich nor content. Without love, “I am nothing“, Paul says.
How have you seen love demonstrated in our church? Tell us your story. How can you demonstrate love this week? Its more powerful than miracles!
Tags: love, service, spiritual gifts
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