“If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love [for others growing out of God’s love for me], then I have become only a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal [just an annoying distraction]. And if I have the gift of prophecy [and speak a new message from God to the people], and understand all mysteries, and [possess] all knowledge; and if I have all [sufficient] faith so that I can remove mountains, but do not have love [reaching out to others], I am nothing.
If I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it does me no good at all.
Love endures with patience and serenity, love is kind and thoughtful, and is not jealous or envious; love does not brag and is not proud or arrogant. It is not rude; it is not self-seeking, it is not provoked [nor overly sensitive and easily angered]; it does not take into account a wrong endured. It does not rejoice at injustice, but rejoices with the truth [when right and truth prevail]. Love bears all things [regardless of what comes], believes all things [looking for the best in each one], hopes all things [remaining steadfast during difficult times], endures all things [without weakening]. Love never fails [it never fades nor ends]. But as for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for the gift of special knowledge, it will pass away.” (1 Corinthians 13:1-8 AMP)
REFLECTION
There are many different religions / organisations that do a lot of charity work, but the sobering reality is that helping others will not save our souls. Eternal salvation is found only in Jesus Christ, the perfect One who is “…the way and the truth and the life…” (see John 14:6). And as we follow Him, we learn to love as it’s spelled out in the sacred scriptures. And lovingly helping others is part of the overflow of eternal love that comes from union with our Maker, who is love. We need to be intentional about this, as James 4:8 (AMP) urges us to : “Come close to God [with a contrite heart] and He will come close to you…” So let’s prioritise our relationship with the One who lovingly made us, and experience the kind of love that never fails. Hallelujah!
PRAYER POEM
Loving Lord ~ only You can empower and enlighten me to live a life of love that is on earth as it is above. I say yes to whatever You want to do in and through me, trusting You to teach me to love like You do.
