TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20
1 Corinthians 13:1-3
2 Corinthians 5:12-14

“… (If I) have not charity,
I am nothing.”

THE MOTIVE IS LOVE

The Bible declares emphatically that “God is love” (1 John 4:16). It also teaches that Christians should love God “because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19). This means when we obey God and serve Him, we must do so most willingly because we love Him. We also must love our brethren because of Christ’s love. The motive of our service must be our love for Christ.

Tragically, among the Corinthian Christians, there seemed to be a lack of love. It was a lack of love which caused the partisan spirit. It was also the lack of love which caused the Corinthian Christians to abuse the gift of tongue speaking. They were seeking after self-recognition rather than loving others. If they had loved God, they would have wanted God to be glorified rather than self-magnification.

It was with this in mind that Paul employed a series of hyperboles in 1 Corinthians 13:1-3. Paul was not saying that he could speak in the language of angels (if it was known). Nor was he saying that he had ever moved mountains. What he was saying was that even if he could do these things, he would be nothing if he did not do so out of the pure motive of the love of Christ, for all these things would have been done to promote self, rather than to glorify God and to benefit others. 

This writer had the privilege of attending a performance of a professional symphonic orchestra. The music played that day was simply majestic. That was until the portion where the cymbals player was supposed to come in. Somehow, the orchestra contrived to put a novice percussionist to play the cymbal. He had no regard for the dynamics of the piece and simply clashed the cymbals without proper technique. Needless to say, the good work of the orchestra was ruined. The same happens when we try to use our spiritual gifts without love. It will all be in vain and will cause great hurt to the work of Christ.

THOUGHT: I must be constrained by the love of Christ in all things.
PRAYER: More love to Thee, O Lord.