If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing."
1 Corinthians 13:1-4
This is an important part of the love chapter. Let's stop and take a look at it instead of jumping over it. I believe it's speaking to a specific if not a large group of people. This part of the love chapter spells out behavior that looks like God, but it isn't God. There are many people who do good works, but not for the right reasons, or from the right motivation. Have you ever met a person who does good things that do serve humanity, but they do it hoping to get recognized and to perhaps receive some accolades or award, or reward, or promotion?
Matthew 6:1-4 tells us
“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Verse 1 of 1 Corinthians 13 says that if you speak in the tongues of men and of angels - what is that. Speaking in tongues is a gift of God. The apostle Paul tells us that he speaks in tongues more than anyone. Tongues aren't a foreign language. It is a spiritual language. It is explained quite clearly in scriptures, but some who don't understand give it their own definition.
So, back to our phrase. If you speak in heavenly tongues as to God, but you don't have love. It means nothing. You can speak in tongues in your prayer life and in church, but if you don't display the behaviors of God's love, you are nothing. Speaking in tongues is an important part of the new testament church, but if you aren't actively participating in his mission for us who believe, then you are a talking head and that's all.
The next part tells us that if we speak prophetically and can interpret dreams correctly, but you aren't walking in love, following God's rules, you are in it for yourself, not for Him. Remember the biblical story of Jonah? Well, he was a prophet who was sent to prophesy to the Ninevites and to call them to repentance. He had the gift of prophecy, but wasn't obedient and was swallowed by a whale. The spiritual gifts of God are given to man to serve God and Him alone.
If you think you have all knowledge, but aren't using it for God's purpose then it's a waste. Solomon was given great wisdom. His knowledge and wisdom were greater than any man of his time, but in the end, he began to follow the pagan religions of his many wives and he fell from grace. Do you know anyone who is well educated and seems to understand and to be able to analyze things that are beyond the capabilities of most people? Without the behaviors of love from God, that wisdom doesn't serve them and may lead them into trouble.
The next part of the verse says,"if I have faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing." Perhaps you can believe for yourself, but you are unwilling to move in that faith realm to heal the sick, or bless the needy. You're afraid to lift up your voice for others in fear of looking foolish. That faith was given as a gift from God to help mankind in need, not yourself in greed.
The last part of the verse says that if you give all you have to the needy and allow yourself to be a martyr, but you do it without love (for the wrong reasons) you are still nothing. Today many people, especially those who are involved in politics give things away and stand in front of an issue that isn't popular, but they do it for recognition and promotion, not for the cause of Christ. That means that when that opportune moment is over, so is the giving. That isn't a representation of Christ. It is a selfish move of man with wrong motivations. God won't support that.
It is plain that God wants those behaviors to be for unselfish reasons and to be done without want for recognition. All the glory for God's power belongs to God.
In answer to all those who are asking why they have to be born again and give themselves to Christ since they already give to the poor and are kind, and follow all the rules., it isn't enough. If you want to play the game, you have to play by the rules. You can't walk into a game that is in motion and change the rules. The rules are set. They are quite clearly written in the bible. Read the rules. Play the game by the rules.
If you want to be born again and experience the unconditional love of God, you need to believe that Jesus is the son of God and that he died on the cross for you. You must repent of your sins and ask Him into your heart and your life. You must surrender yourself to Him and then say the sinners prayer. Romans 10:9-10
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, I confess that I am a sinner. Please forgive me for my sins. I believe that Jesus died on the cross for my sins to be forgiven. I ask you to come in to my heart and live with me. Please dwell in me and allow me to dwell in you. I thank you for your blessing and for your grace and mercy. I know that I am forgiven and born again through Jesus Christ my savior. Amen.
It's as simple as that. Now get into a bible based church and a good bible study. I hope you will also continue in mine. Blessings. Walk in His love!
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