Imagine that the apostle Paul has been told that several groups within the church at Corinth have been arguing about which is the most important.
Therefore, he calls them together and offers to judge their competition. Each group will get a chance to make their case and Paul, inspired by God’s Spirit, will pick a winner.
Happily, the first group steps up and says, “Obviously, we are the most important because we are the preachers. We draw huge crowds. We are entertaining and funny and we do more good than anyone else.”
To this group, Paul says, “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” (1 Corinthians 13:1). This group made a lot of noise, but their effort did not amount to much.
Having seen the showboating preachers put in their place, the next group comes forward and proclaims, “We are best because we are the real teachers. We know the word of God from cover to cover. In fact, we are the defenders of the faith. If you want to know what to believe, just ask us.”
Paul turns to them and says, “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” (verse 2). Their score, just like the first group’s, is zero.
Feeling emboldened, the last group arrives. “We are servants. We will do anything for anyone. If you need us, just call. We actually get out there and get things done.”
In response to their argument, Paul says, “If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but do not have love, I gain nothing” (verse 3). They are highly committed, but, in the end, they have not gained anything.
Now, wait a minute. Am I trying to say that things like faith, knowledge, teaching and truth are not important? Of course not.
However, without love those great gifts are powerless and ineffective. Love directs our gifts in the proper way. Love shows us where to begin and how to go about things.
Love is not an optional add-on.
Rather, it is the context for every spiritual blessing.
