Without love

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 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, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. – 1 Corinthians 13.1-3

This chapter is a go to chapter for so many things in the Bible. Love is at the core from beginning to end. Love is the summary of all the Law – love God and love others. The love of Christ is to be our compelling force in life.

It makes sense then that Paul would say ‘I can speak with the force of men ans angels. I can be the best preacher in the world. I can understand everything. I ca have all knowledge and all faith and I can give all my money to feed to poor and my body to be burned.

But if I don’t have love…

I had love the word the KJV translators used here. They used charity because charity in its real sense is what true love is all about. This love is a love that gives.

Okay, back to the point. If I did all of the things above and more if I didn’t have love it would all be nothing. If I am motivated by ‘success’ or fame or fortune or making me look good or even by pressure or conformity or anything else I am spinning my wheels.

If I don’t love then I am only bells and whistles, nothing more.