if Then

DEVOTION

1 CORINTHIANS

IF THEN

1 Cor 13:1-3

13:1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

NIV

Now this is the beginning of us being shown the most excellent way and it starts off right at the very center the gospel. What difference does it matter what we say if we do not love? Who cares about any of the gifts of the Spirit that we might have if we do not love? If we are the most spiritual person in Church, but do not love others, who cares? It would seem that is all that really matters is how we interact with the rest of people. Sure we certainly should desire to be used of God, and apply the gifts He has bestowed upon us for the common good of everyone. Yes we should be open to the Spirit, moving in the Spirit, exhibiting those gifts which He determines for us to have, again for the common good. We are not our here alone, isolated from others, being a super spiritual being. If we are truly filled with the Spirit then we would actually love others, as Christ does. We are going to find out exactly how that is in the next verses, which we all know so well, because they are recited at just about every wedding we have ever attended, yet are not actually applied in most cases. But let’s leave that for later, as for now, we merely have to see that if we ever expect to gain anything we need to be able to love others. That is going to require a little setting aside of self, but not in the way of actions, but in the way of attitude. We could be the greatest giver, serving food to the poor, giving great amounts of money, but if our attitude is not right, if we do not actually love them, what use are our actions? They say actions speak louder the words, but here attitude speaks louder than both, for if our attitude is that of love, our words and actions will follow accordingly. So if we love, then.