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. 1 Corinthians 13:1-2
Aw Tozer adds the following thought, "So when we say, “God is love,” we mean that God’s love is such that it permeates His essential being and conditions all that He does. Nothing God ever does, or ever did, or ever will do, is done separate from the love of God."
Charles Spurgeon writes regarding chapter 13, "The grace of charity, or love, of which so much is most admirably spoken in this chapter, is absolutely essential to true godliness. So essential is it that, if we have everything beside, but have not charity, it profiteth us nothing. The absence of charity is absolutely fatal to vital godliness; so saith the Holy Ghost in this chapter. When, then, you read the apostle’s high encomiums of charity, do not say, This is a fancy virtue to which certain special saints have attained, and we are bound to admire them for it, but we need not imitate them.’ Far from it. This charity is the common, everyday livery of of God. It is not the prerogative of a few; it must be the possession of all. Do not, therefore, however lofty the model may be, look up to it as though you could not reach it: you must reach it."
Chapter 13 is about God's unconditional love and our relationship to it and Him. This is what my journey is because I need to strive to love as God loves and fall so short. I feel like the father in Romans who said "If" to Jesus and then said "I believe! Help my unbelief!" I love you Lord, help my lack of love!
Join me in reading chapter 13 and be encouraged!
