Monthly Archives: February 2014

1 Corinthians 13:1-7  “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. [2] 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, and have not charity, I am nothing. [3] And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor , and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. [4] Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, [5] Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; [6] Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; [7] Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.”

Love is an important and powerful thing.  Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians covers many topics but at the heart of them all rings the message of genuine love.  An example and description are given in these verses of that love.
Communicating LOVE is more important than HOW YOU SPEAK.
Showing LOVE is more important than WHAT YOU KNOW.
Giving LOVE is more important than WHAT YOU GIVE.
Communicating, gaining and sharing knowledge, and giving are all important elements in the Christian life.  We should do our best in each of them.  The emphasis in these verses however is not these abilities but the love one should possess and share when exercising them. Without love these elements are vain, empty, and meaningless.  Genuine love can be seen, heard, and felt.  For example, if one could speak with the tongues of men and of angels how is it that they sound like sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal?  These two phrases imply, no matter how skilled, polished, or elequent the speaker, the words spoken are empty and without true heartfelt meaning.  Have you ever had that experience with a speaker or someone talking to you?  On the other hand, have you heard someone who maybe wasn’t all that skilled in word usage but their love and caring spirit spoke to your heart in spite of the words used or how they were spoken.  That is what communicating love is all about.  This kind of genuine love cannot be taught.  It is a part of ones life and everything that person says or does.  You can see it, hear it, and feel it.  The same applies to what we know, our abilities, and our giving.  Without genuine love these have no true or lasting meaning.