The Bible says in I Corinthians 13:1-4, "If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn't love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God's secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn't love others, I would be nothing. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it, but if I didn't love others, I would have gained nothing."
My version:
I can go to church every time the doors are open, but if I don't love others, it doesn't mean anything.
I can tithe every Sunday, but if I don't love others, it doesn't mean anything.
I can confess scriptures hundreds of times and read the Bible every day, but if I don't love others, it doesn't mean anything.
I can sing, shout, dance, and raise my hands, but if I don't love others, it doesn't mean anything.
I can walk in excellence and have the nicest, cleanest home or church building in town, but if I don't love others, what does it matter?
I can teach the best sermon on faith that anyone has ever heard, but if I don't love others, it doesn't mean anything.
I can drive the most expensive car and live in the biggest house in town, but if I don't love others, it doesn't mean anything.
I can fly around the country and attend every church conference that's held, but if I don't love others, I will be wasting my money.
I can dress nice and have a smile on my face, but if I don't have love, it's just a show.
I can rub elbows with the most famous people in the world, but if I don't love others, it won't get me anywhere.
I can be pretty or handsome, popular, well-educated, successful, rich, admired and even followed by many, but if I don't love others, these things mean nothing.
I can boast of my many achievements, but if I don't have love, I have accomplished nothing.
I can say that I love others, but if I truly don't love others, the words mean nothing.
If I love others I will share the gospel with them. If I love others I will give to them when they are in need. If I love others I will give them my time. If I love others I will be a friend to them. If I love others I won't be so focused on myself that I let opportunities to serve them pass me by. When it comes right down to it, if I love God and love people I am doing something that really matters.
I pray that we will be able to comprehend how wide, how long, how high, and how deep God's love is, and that we will experience His love today, so we can truly love others. (Ephesians 3:18-19)
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4 comments :
Well stated! Loving God and loving people IS what truly matters! It's what we are ALL called to do! God's love is what draws people to Him! Thank you for the reminder as I start my day today!
VERY well said! I couldn't have said it better myself!
AMEN !!! Great post. Many who claim to be serving God and doing His work need to get this revelation.
I was catching up on your entries and stopped to write this at your "preach a message on faith and don't have love" comment. I left a church where that very thing happened. Last Fall, God spoke to me in a mighty way through a minister regarding faith. The man was used of God to deliver a much needed message that re-charged my faith. Unfortunately, soon afterward that same man showed me by both his actions and inactions that the love of God was not going to be shown through him. How sad. He had a wonderful gift, but I could not continue to sit under his ministry, due to this lack of love.
We all have the responsibility to walk in integrity and love. Thanks for reminding me of it. It is our best interest and that of those around us and certainly desired by God!
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