If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. And 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 profits me nothing.

                                                                                                                     1 Corinthians 13:1-3

Today’s passage comes out of what is often called the love chapter. Perhaps you have heard it quoted in a wedding or other event. Well, it has a very significant message for everyone who claims the name of Jesus. Not only is love the litmus test for Christian authenticity, it is essential that love is the motive for anything we say, believe, or do. “If I speak…but do not love, I have become a noisy gong or clanging cymbal” (v 1). Words are important. They can build up or tear down, convey encouragement or create despair. In short, words communicate either life or death. We are reminded that praising God in one breath, then cursing others with the next, is loveless speech and has no place in the life of a believer (James 3:9). Our speech should be void of anything worthless and unproductive, rather our words should be edifying (building up), laced with grace (joy, sweetness, and goodwill) and should promote growth in others (Ephesians 4:29). If we think we are faithful in our belief, yet cannot bridle our tongues, we deceive ourselves and our religion becomes worthless (James 1:26).

Likewise, anything we know or believe, without love as the driving force, is of no value. “If I have the gift of prophecy…if I know all mysteries…if I possess all knowledge…if I have all faith…but do not have love, I am nothing” (v 2). That’s quite a list! Gifting, knowledge, and faith are all important parts of the Christian life, however, without love, they do not promote the gospel and therefore we become ineffective. In order to succeed, the world tells us that we need to be the most intelligent, knowledgeable, and talented people. However, Jesus reminds us that unless we are converted (born again) and become like children, we will not enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 18:3). This is not acting childish or being a baby, it is the state of a grateful, trusting heart, full of love for God and others. In addition, Jesus reminds us that the greatest in His kingdom are those who humble themselves like a child (Matthew 18:4). This childlike heart is pleasing to God and should be in every believer.

Finally, this passage reminds us that no matter what we do, without love, there is no profit in the effort. “If I give all of my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing” (v 3). Mankind only sees the works of others, but God searches beyond the action into our heart to examine the motives behind our endeavors. This passage is easily summed up, so let’s end today on this note:

Let all that you do be done in love (1 Corinthians 16:14).