13 If I speak in the tongues[a] of men or of angels, but do not have 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 do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing.
– 1st Corinthians 13
The first Tuesday of the month Gibson City tests their emergency sirens. There is always a split second I think something terrible is happening, but then I look outside and realize it is just a test. The final minutes of the siren are particularly unappealing at this point. Without a tornado or storm, the sirens just sound annoying! It feels as if there is no purpose in it.
This is somewhat what it is like to be Christian and to not have love. Without love, the Christian life is worthless. This is harsh, but I have seen the same story play out time and time again. Someone who calls themselves a Christian pushes someone else away because they just didn’t show love. It is interesting here that Paul uses the actions of speaking in tongues, prophecy, wisdom, and generosity. I would imagine these gifts are the first listed on any pastor job posting. These skills are what we think of when we think of Pastors or established mature Christians. Interestingly enough, Paul says these gifts make us “nothing” if we do not have love.
Our culture is very performance based. Athletes are judged on their performance. Doctors are judged on their ability to heal or diagnose problems. Salesman are judged on their ability to sell. So often we take this performance mentality to our faith. If we just give more meals to the poor, God will be happy. If we just come to church more, God will be happy. The truth is that God wouldn’t be happy if we gave all our money away but had no love. So what is love?
Love is simple. I will use the words of Paul,
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8 Love never fails.
This passage is a rubric. Are you loving your husband or wife the way verse 4 says to? What about your co-workers? What about your boss? My guess would be we all fall short in loving the people who do not love us back, but love is not a transaction. It keeps no records of wrongs. Love is our Christian commitment to treating people the way Jesus treated us. You might feel as if your life is in a pretty good spot right now, but remember, if you do not have love “ I am nothing (verse 2)”