Wed Inspiration

Morning Inspiration with Pastor Merritt

“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. " (I Corinthians 13:1-3)

What Paul is saying here is that God is not impressed with what you do or how well you do it nearly as much as He is why you do it. You probably didn’t notice it, but Paul was basically listing spiritual gifts here. If you go back and read I Corinthians 12 and then I Corinthians 14 you will find that he is dealing primarily with spiritual gifts. Here he is talking about people who have the gift of tongues, the gift of prophecy, or the gift of knowledge, the gift of faith, the gift of giving and even those who give the gift of their own life. He says in effect, “The only thing that makes you anything is love.”

There is no substitute for loving God and loving others. In fact, did you know that every other religion in the world practices these gifts? Pagan religions practice speaking in tongues. Others religions claim to prophesy. Other religions have faith. Other religions practice giving to the poor and we have certainly seen how many in other religions are willing to give their lives even for something that is not true.

The point is where we get so impressed with spiritual gifts, God is more impressed with spiritual fruit. Where we are so impressed with what people do, God is more impressed with why people do it. The real mark of a real Christ-follower is not activity, but affection. Everything you do for the church, for your family, for friends and even for your boss should be motivated out of love. Love for God so you want to do your best and be your best and love for others so they can see you at your best. If you want to be tasty to other people you make sure that all you do is motivated by love.