LIFE SCRIPTS

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 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 do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
1 Corinthians 13:1‭-‬3 NIV

This love chapter is a great depiction of the real nature of true love. Too many songs, poems and sayings have been composed about love. However, God’s word gives us the best glimpse into what real love is all about. Paul begins from verse 1 highlighting his exploits in the kingdom of God; speaking in tongues (verse 1), prophecy (verse 2a), faith (verse 2b) and generosity (verse 3). He was not speaking of things he had not accomplished. He was talking about virtues he held deep and dear to him. This Paul was a man who spoke in the tongues of angels. He spoke clearly in his letters to the Corinthians, stating that ‘he speaks in tongues more than all his hearers’. He knew the ability that knowledge of tongues possessed to edify the church. This Paul also was a man who had the gift of prophecy. He spoke prophetic word to many he encountered in his ministry and their lives were transformed. Timothy and Titus are just examples of young men he nurtured and encouraged prophetically. He laid hands on people and spoke life into their dead situations. This Paul also was a man of exceptional faith. We read in the book of Acts about his voyages to unknown lands, the suffering he went through in the hands of his tormentors, even when others gave up, he still continued because he was a man of tremendous faith. Lastly, this same Paul was a very generous man. His ministry to others was laced with a heart that gave freely. He sought to continue in his trade as a tent maker yet still use his own money to preach the gospel and to assist where necessary. Yet in the midst of all these virtues, he seems to point us towards one that transcends all; LOVE. Without love, he’s just a resounding gong as he speaks in tongues of angels, without love, he reckons himself as nothing! Years before, his Master, Jesus Christ, while facing Nicodemus, said these words, ‘For God so LOVED the world, that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but live eternally’ (John 3:16). This same love that drove the Almighty God must also drive us in all our actions, words, thoughts, attitudes and intentions. Our desire to be more like Christ, more like God will not be driven by how much we can do for Him or others but how much our thoughts, words, deeds, motives and attitudes towards Him and others are driven by His love. God is love. As we embrace Him, we embrace love. Godly love and not worldly love. Agape love. Unconditional love. Forgiving love. A love that we receive from Him for us to generously share with others. This is the bold imprint in Paul’s message. Love answers all. Love is all. As Christ said, all the commandments can be summed up into two: LOVE the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your mind and with all your strength. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it LOVE your neighbor as yourself.