"Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal. 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 charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing."
1 Corinthians 13:1-3
Part 2
Yesterday:
“…and have not charity [love], I am become as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal.
If I could talk like an angel but didn’t have love, no one would want to listen!
Today:
“…and have not charity [love], I am nothing.
What if we had “the corner on the market” of prophecy, and could answer all Bible mysteries, knowledge and faith? If we could have all the gifts that combined would make us “the person with all the answers!
If we knew prophecy— could foretell future events, to announce God’s will, and to interpret God’s purpose in all that He does.
If we could understand all mysteries— to enlighten hearers on all the unknown Bible truths and be able to explain all the divine wisdom hidden in Biblical mysteries.
If we had all knowledge— we could answer any questions on all aspects of salvation and the doctrines of the Word of God, and we fully knew all the duties of man written in the Bible. And then be well versed in the knowledge of the world, the sciences, philosophy, mathematics, to know it all literally.
If we were the most significant examples of faith— and moving mountains were no problem for us!
If all these abilities were ours, and we were the last word on everything, and yet we were unloving— we would be nothing. Less than zero. “A zero with the rim rubbed out!” Of no consequence to God or man.
“…and have not charity [love], it profiteth me nothing.”
What if we turned everything we own, our home, furniture, clothing, and belongings, into money that we could by food to feed every homeless person in our town! What if we could die as martyrs for the faith! We could give our bodies to be burned, like a modern day, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego’s, sacrificing ourselves for the cause! But without Biblical love, these account for nothing.
“If there is no true piety, there can be no benefit in this to my soul,” (Barnes).
If we have no love for God and our brothers and sisters in Christ, we have no salvation. Our souls are not profited even from all that we have or all that we can do, or in all that we know.
Love is the most important thing. Without love, our lives are fruitless and disconnected from God and His salvation.
How’s your love life? How does your love stack-up with Biblical love?
1. Albert Barnes, Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, the electronic version in eSword.