1 Corinthians 13:1-3
“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I am nothing.”
Thoughts from Dayna Spaulding
Dive Deeper
Behind the Scenes
Paul is writing to the Corinthians; a people who came from traditions of pagan idolatry and worship. The culture that surrounded them was filled with sensuality and self-centered works. Sound familiar? YOLO! The idea of love was that of a give and take, not of selflessness. Their gods, their family and government officials all required something from them and they wanted something in return.
In John chapter 7 Jesus said that there would be people who would do great works in His name, but would not enter the kingdom of heaven. He said that these people would do things like cast out demons, prophesy and do other mighty works in His name. Yet, Jesus didn’t know them! Jesus said to them, “I never knew you; depart for me, you workers of lawlessness.”
Lawlessness? Wow! I can’t say that I have ever cast out a demon or done other “mighty works.” Maybe you have, but I can’t tell you the last time I’ve seen a great outward sign. The first time I read this, I asked myself, then who can know that they are saved? It honestly made me question my own salvation. But this is not the point of Jesus’ teaching.
Make it Real
We know that our love is not pure. It is tainted with selfish motives. We want to give so that we can receive. And even when we have received, we think we deserve it. Isaiah 64:6 says that “all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment.” These are the deeds that Jesus is talking about in Matthew, these are the deeds that Paul is referring to in 1 Corinthians 13.
Jesus continues in Matthew to say that you must build on a foundation. And that foundation is Jesus Himself! His foundation is love, for He is Love! If your foundation is not built on the foundation (Matt 7:24) of Jesus’ law of love for God, His Church and for people (Matt 22:36-40, John 13:34) you are nothing! Your “love” will simply be washed away in the next storm.
You see our everything is found in Jesus, not our own strength, not our selfish love, not our hollow deeds. It is only when we are plugged into the source that we have the ability to truly do good works. It is our love for Jesus that is true motivation. For they are not religious works based on give and get because, in all honesty, there is nothing that we can give God that He did not first give us. He gave us our gifts and abilities, He gave us our work ethic, He gives us our every breath.
In this world we are called to be Jesus’ fruit bearers, lights in the dark, and cities on a hill. But that light, that does not come from us doing our own thing, seeking our own righteousness. It comes from being in Jesus. The world, your family, your friends, classmates and co-workers need to see love; not love that requires something in return, but Jesus who has paid it all.
I don’t know about you, but I get tired of working for love. I get tired of waiting on being loved and respected by others. I get so tired of trying to earn it. I’m so thankful that I can rest peacefully in the love of Jesus. No works required. He loves me even when my attitude is rotten and is patient to guide me back into his peace and love. So, rest in Jesus, trust in Him and let Jesus overflow into the lives of those around you.
Jesse Garnett
ACF Devo Team
End in Prayer
Jesus,
Thank you for giving us love. You gave yourself for each and every one of us. Jesus help me not to strive under my own strength, to please those around me, but let me find strength in your peace, motivation in your mission because I know that I will mess it up on my own. Jesus, I ask that I will find satisfaction in my relationship with you and that our relationship would enrich my relationships with those around me. Jesus, fill me with your love that it would overflow into those around me. I ask that I would be that light, that city on a hill, serving in your love without expecting something in return. Jesus, I ask you to center me in you, in your peace. Thank you Jesus! Amen!