Carina Francke

If I speak in the tongues of men, if I have the gift of prophecy, if I have faith and if I give all I possess to the poor “but do not have love…” 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

If you can talk to someone in their own language, you get closer to that person. Unfortunately, there is one factor that if it is missing will hamper meaningful communication and that is the language of the heart – love. Even though someone speaks in a human language or like an angel, if their life lacks love, even their wisest words will not be taken seriously.  It is for the hearer only words, sounds that will be blown away by the wind. 1 Corinthians 13:1 describes someone without love as: "…a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal."

Still with words: should anyone think that he is very special and should be highly regarded because he has the gift of prophecy, but he is unloving, then he must admit to himself"…I am nothing." (v2). Note that it is neither the words nor their meaning that is nothing, but the speaker. Believers, therefore have a great responsibility to be saturated in God’s love if they want to be a positive influence on the lives of others, otherwise they must admit; “I am nothing”.

To unravel secrets and be a walking encyclopaedia brim-full of knowledge and to have so much faith that one can move mountains can only be of value if one also has love and shares it with others.  Without love everything else means nothing, and one can just as well admit “I am nothing!”

To give away possessions or to pull out all stops to benefit someone else usually leads to the recipient holding his benefactor in much esteem. Well-meaning, but the benefactor must always examine himself and ask whether his good deeds are really fuelled by his love for others. If not, he must know: “I gain nothing.”

In this scripture passage, the writer touches on every facet of human existence: his mouth (languages), his intellect (knowledge, secrets), spirit (faith, prophecy), body and possessions. Without mincing matters he declares hereby that: every facet of a person’s life forms the whole and no part can effectively function without the love of God in one’s life.

Why so much emphasis on love? Our Creator is love, every ounce of his being is love, and all who are dependent on Him for their existence, are supported by his love. How can people who are created in his image try to practice anything at all without his gifts?   Love is the force that generates life, and you and I are the conductors thereof.

Prayer: Father, your love has no end, and for that I say “thank you”. May I be so saturated in your love, that every word, every good deed done in faith or reality, and every sharing in knowledge and insight with others, reflect your love.  Amen.