Are you great in some things in your commitment to the Lord but yet nothing? Simply put, are you something yet nothing? Is there something lacking in the midst of things done well that results in you or I being nothing? The words of Apostle Paul force the question: 1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging 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, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 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. (1 Corinthians 13:1-3)
In our Jr. and Sr. high school class, at the time of this writing, we have come to the last lesson in our "Like Jesus" series; love others just like Jesus or love like Jesus loves. Clearly, the most important of all the like Jesus lessons in the series. For the prior lessons of being like Jesus in obedience, forgiveness, righteous anger, evangelism, prayer, boldness, gentleness, servanthood, patience and sacrifice depend squarely upon loving just like Jesus loves and loving Jesus.
As we continue on with Paul's words of 1 Corinthians 13, he describes this great love, 4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues. they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophecy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. 11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. 13 And now abide in faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
We have come to know of this love from the Greek language, it is called agape. I will pass on sharing a definition of agape love and simply say that it is to love others as Jesus has so loved us.
So how are you doing in loving like Jesus? Despite some accomplishments in Christ, are you nothing? Or are you something? Something like Jesus in love of others!
The Apostle Paul would further write... The only thing that counts as faith is expressing itself through love. (Galatians 5:6b)
Rex McDonald, Associate Evangelist