CHARACTERISTICS OF TRUE LOVE
If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. (1 Corinthians 13:1-2 NLT)
1.- Our gifts and abilities, intelligence, faith, and generosity are good for nothing if there is no love.
Love is more important than our capacity to speak and spiritual gifts. (v.1)
- Many times, people as God to give them spiritual gifts, being able to speak in angelic tongues, prophesy, heal the sick, etc. but not all ask God for the gift of His love.
- True love can be demonstrated in many times before actually saying a single word. We can have a brilliant way of speaking, but if there is no love, those beautiful words we pronounce are hollow and don’t have any effect.
Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. (Rom. 12:9 NLT)
2.- It is more important than personal sacrifice. (v.3)
- How many times have we heard or maybe spoke the famous phrase, “I’m killing myself working so that you don’t lack anything (to their children).” But we forget about the details that truly demonstrate our love for them (time, expressions, details, etc)
- It would be a very good idea to revise our motivations, even in our service to God, to see if it’s truly God’s love that moves us to sacrifice ourselves to serve Him.
If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing. (1 Corinthians 13:3 NLT)
Think about it:
Do you expect something in return when you help others or serve God?
Do you ask God to give you gifts, fill you with His love, or both?
In what way do you demonstrate your love to your children?