“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels,”
Even though I am the most gifted orator in every language; even though I’m the most eloquent presenter; even though my words are so well articulated that their power to convince and convert is second to none, “and have not charity,” And have not that love—that deep abiding affection, “I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.” I am become just a loud annoying noise. All the good I do, all the beautifully articulated words I speak, all the perfectly presented subjects are just discordant noise. There once was a great man who went before a group of unbelievers. He spoke for some time—perfectly presenting the topics of the Bible in the most convincing manner. He really could not have spoken it more clearly. He was a gifted man and the truth was set in unmistakable fashion. He knew that at the end of his talk no one could refute anything that he said. And sure enough, at the end no one could raise any objections. But also no one accepted the truth. The man was confused. Pulling one of the men aside who had attended the meeting he asked him, “Was the subject presented well?” “Oh yes.” “Was there any flaw in the logic?” “Oh no.” “Was everything completely clear?” “Oh yes.” “So what is the problem?” “You are an excellent speaker, your words are clear, but you spoke roughly to the sound engineer when the mic wasn’t working right, you complained about the hymnals not being put out on time, you were annoyed at the child who cried during your talk, you spoke sharply to the young people who gathered in the parking lot and seemed uninterested in the meeting. Your presentation was second to none, but you are missing the most important element. You do not love, you are not a Christian.” “And though I have the gift of prophecy, Even though I am skilled in Bible study and can interpret the Scriptures consistently; even though I can foretell coming events with exactness, “and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge;” Even though my wisdom is like that of Solomon and nothing is hid from my understanding; even though I can see clearly through every mystery, even though nothing escapes my notice, “and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains,” Even though every patient I ever work with recovers their health; even though every obstacle is removed by my prayers; even though I have success in all my endeavors; even though nothing is impossible to me and my faith is so great that miracles are apart of my daily life, “and have not charity, I am nothing.” If I don’t have love, I’m of no value. You may be sought after for your talents and wisdom. You may be a mighty one of prayer and people receive miracles just by contact with you. But if you do not have love, you are nothing. You are dust and ashes. None of that recommends you to God or gives you value. It’s not what you can do or have done! That’s hard for us to accept. Matthew 7:22-23 says, “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” If you do not have love, you are nothing. Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to the cross I cling… “And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor,” Even though I freely give of my means to help others; even though my home is full of people who eat at my table; even though I go on outreach every week and feed the hungry and give out clothes to those who don’t have much; even though I give it all to help others, “and though I give my body to be burned,” Even though I am ridiculed for my faith and stand up boldly against wrong, and even though I suffer a martyrs death, “and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.” If I don’t have love, none of that will matter. “No matter how high the profession, he whose heart is not filled with love for God and his fellow men is not a true disciple of Christ. Though he should possess great faith and have power even to work miracles, yet without love his faith would be worthless. He might display great liberality; but should he, from some other motive than genuine love, bestow all his goods to feed the poor, the act would not commend him to the favor of God. In his zeal he might even meet a martyr's death, yet if not actuated by love, he would be regarded by God as a deluded enthusiast or an ambitious hypocrite.” (Ellen White, The Acts of the Apostles, 318) In 1 Corinthians chapter 12 Paul goes through the gifts and glories of the church. And then he says, “But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.” 1 Corinthians 12:31. All these amazing gifts are listed that further the work and save souls and yet Paul says there’s something else—there’s something more that’s needed. What follows next is 1 Corinthians 13, the love chapter. “Yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.” “The Lord desires me to call the attention of His people to the thirteenth chapter of First Corinthians. Read this chapter every day, and from it obtain comfort and strength. Learn from it the value that God places on sanctified, heaven-born love, and let the lesson that it teaches come home to your hearts. Learn that Christlike love is of heavenly birth, and that without it all other qualifications are worthless.” (Ellen White, Review and Herald, July 21, 1904) Taylor Bunch in his book on Love says, “Unless love is the keystone of belief and the spring of action, the profession of Christianity is mere talk, dry formality, and heavy drudgery, and from such a religion may we be delivered. The genuine variety centers in Christ, and Christ is the personification of love.” (Page 13) All the gifts given to you, all the skills and talents you possess, unless bathed in love for God and man, are of no value. Each person longs for love. We were created to love and be loved. But what is love? What does it look like? What does it feel like? And how do we receive it and give it? There are many things that are termed love that aren’t. So it would be well for us to know what love is. “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” (John 13:35) Love has power. Power to change hardened criminals. Power to bring joy to a discouraged heart. Power to put sunshine in the place of clouds. Power to lift burdens. Power to unite the long estranged. Power to heal. But what is love? We’ll begin this study in part 2...
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SolominaEverything in life has meaning. There's a lesson in every object, every situation, every process. I want to go deeper, in a higher way. I want to listen, to understand, to know. Archives
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