The Necessity of Love

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Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 (ESV)

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 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. 3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Devotion:

            In these familiar words of Paul, we begin to see what is required of God’s people as they seek to live out their lives for Christ. These words indicate to us the importance of love in our everyday lives. What kind of love does Paul refer to here and in the rest of this chapter? It is not romantic love, or even brotherly love. The Greek word used is agape. Its meaning in English translation is a love based on a sincere appreciation for the object of that love. It is not a mere feeling or a self-generated state of mind.

            First, addressing particularly his 1st century Corinthian audience Paul addresses speaking in tongues. Comparing speaking in this manner without love as a noisy gong or clanging cymbal, both these musical instruments cannot make melodious sounds but are jarring and if sounded continuously, they are quite annoying to the listener. These instruments both have a proper place in a musical composition, but they are never to be the primary instruments used. So, tongues have a place but not the primary place in worship.

            Paul, then moves on to consider the role of prophesy, mysteries, knowledge, and faith in the Christian life. Once again Paul claims that these things, as wonderful as they are without love, mean nothing. Paul again makes it clear that without love there is no room for speaking in worship. This is an astounding claim. Modern worship tends to be quite wordy. What we need in our churches today is not more words but more love. Our love for Jesus and our love for each other both stand in need of improvement.

            Lastly, Paul addresses our giving of our money and ourselves in service of Christ. Paul identifies our need to practice these virtues with a spirit of agape love. Otherwise, Paul states these things will profit the practitioner nothing. We are to live our lives in all respects with one singular orientation, which is agape love. All things, if done with this love in view, will be profitable for the kingdom and us. Let us boldly come before the heavenly throne of our God and ask for more love.

Prayer:

            Heavenly Father, hear our plea today. Grant us the filling of our beings with your love. May we become messengers of agape in this broken and hurting world. May we go forth with the intent to flood the earth with your mountain moving Holy Spirit. Help us Lord to become bringers of your kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. May we be so filled with love for you and our neighbors that the world takes notice and turns to you for life. Amen. 

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