If I Speak In The Tongues Of Men Or Of Angels, But Do Not Love, I Am Only A Resounding Gong Or A Clanging Cymbal
Without God One Cannot Truly Love Anyone
1 CORINTHIANS 13:1-3
“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging 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, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.
”I Corinthians 13:1-3 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/1co.13.1-3.NKJ
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Paul’s message is clear, whatever spiritual gift you may have, whether prophecy, or knowledge or all understanding, or faith that can move the biggest of mountains; or whatever good deeds you have done or continue to do, without love, they will prophet you nothing.
You have become sounding brass or clanging cymbal to the annoyance of all.
Jesus said, “Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’”
Matthew 7:22-23 NKJV
The truth is, “He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”
I John 4:8 NKJV
And if one cannot make the effort to know God in this life, He will refuse to know him on the day judgement.
Relationship with Christ is key to joy in the chaos of this world, peace where there’s no peace, and the confident hope of an eternal future with our Father in heaven (JOHN 14:6).
To love others is a commandment including to love and trust Jesus. You cannot love Him and trust Him without knowing Him. Knowing anyone comes from relationship with that person; if you don’t make the effort to know Jesus today, He will refuse to know you in the future. Make every effort for quality time with God every day and build your relationship with Him.
If you say, “I don’t have time,” you need to make time.
Jesus was asked: “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?”
Jesus replied, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments (MATHEW 22:36-40; MARK 12:3-31).
Furthermore, the command to love your neighbor as yourself, includes even your enemies (MATHEW 5:43-44).
You cannot buy yourself into heaven; no amount of money, or great service or good deeds can buy your salvation.
It is by faith that you are saved (EPHESIANS 2:8-9) and the desire to love, serve, and help others comes as a result of relationship with Christ, faith, and His love for us.
If you are trying purchase or work for your salvation, you have missed the point.
Service must come from the love of Christ.
We love each other because He loved us first.
“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”
I John 4:7, 9-11 NKJV
The truth is, every person you meet, including every unbeliever could potentially be your future brother or sister in Christ, for Christ wants no one to perish, but for all to turn to Him in repentance (2PETER 3:9).
To love one’s neighbor as himself, is to care for others as one cares for himself; to make others problems as important as one’s own. It is to help those in need without any kind of agenda attached; without expectation of any kind of reward.
If only everyone would make the effort to obey these two great commandments of love, this world very quickly become a far better place to live.
All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.
