1 Corinthians 13, the Love chapter, is one of the more known and popular chapters in scripture. Often spoken at weddings, it always gives information and a warm fuzzy feeling. However, though less spoken or taught about, it also tells us what Love isn’t. What love isn’t can also teach us. The first 3 verses in this chapter tell us that without love, actions are totally ineffective but I would also hasten to add that if love isn’t also an action word, then are the words of any importance? I wonder if we instinctively wait till we see actions to ‘judge’ whether the other person does act in love or only talks about it.
“If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love [for others growing out of God’s love for me], then I have become only a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal [just an annoying distraction]. And if I have the gift of prophecy [and speak a new message from God to the people], and understand all mysteries, and [possess] all knowledge; and if I have all [sufficient] faith so that I can remove mountains, but do not have love [reaching out to others], I am nothing. 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 does me no good at all.”
The last part of the 3rd verse does say it all – “it does me no good at all.” The gifts (actions) spoken of – tongues, gift of prophecy, understand and know, faith, sacrifice – are nothing, no effect, no good without the motivation of love. Love is the impetus, the foundation and without it we are only going through the motions.
If this sounds harsh… consider when you are not acting in love toward (fill in the blank) why are you doing what you are doing? Does it feel hollow? Love adds context, flavor, energy, joy and so many other qualities/attributes that it’s difficult to identify all that occurs when we act from love. And never forget 1 John 4:7 and use this as a cornerstone of our actions.
When you look at scripture, there are over 100 verses that talk about love: what it is, what it isn’t, how it feels, what it looks like, the impact on the recipient and giver are unending. One of the more ‘interesting’ verses talks about the second most important commandment:
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” And Jesus replied to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for others].’ The whole Law and the [writings of the] Prophets depend on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:36-40, AMP)
Jesus’ words say it all. There is that caveat that I’ve always viewed as a kind of 2 edged sword: You shall love your neighbor as yourself”.
We are instructed to love our neighbor but it is based on – as we love ourselves. No bravado. No false modesty. Love self. Simple… but ohhhh how difficult. Everything we’ve been taught has cautioned us against being selfish. It has always seemed to point against considering self. Not. Whether consciously or not, we do put our own interest first. It really is OK to love yourself so that you can use your strengths to defeat your weaknesses. Yes? It is also a measure about how to love others. I realize that I may seem to be simplifying an incredibly important issue. Possibly. But we also tend to over complicate.
There’s a fine balance between being totally egotistical and self-centered and being totally selfless. You are important. You can’t really love others till you love and acknowledge yourself and your giftings (from God for others). The balance is not putting yourself first. God should hold first place, then your family… but without love for yourself, can you love others?
