1 Corinthians 13:1-8

 1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.

I may sound good when I speak, or maybe I can make good speeches or speak with eloquence and with authority.  But if I don’t have the love of God in me, then I’m just making noise.  My speaking is of no value and accomplishes nothing.  People said Jesus spoke as one who had authority, not like the teachers of the law.  He had the love of God in Him; the teachers did not, obviously.  My motivation must be love for God and love for people.

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 have not love, I am nothing.

I may appear to know a lot and seem to be very intelligent and can discern the will of God and know the future, but if I don’t have the love of God in me, then I may be a false prophet.  I don’t really know anything.  One has to have the love of God, i.e. have the Spirit of God dwelling in them to really know anything, especially anything about God or His ways or desires.  I can speak what appears to be prophecy and have enough faith to move a mountain, but if I don’t have God’s love in me, then I am nothing.

3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

I may be the most generous person in the world, giving away everything I own.  I may do many good deeds, but if I’m not doing that out of love, agape love planted in my heart by the Spirit of God, then it will be of no benefit to me.  If I’m being generous for selfish motives, it will not be credited to my benefit.  It’s a works doctrine.  The more good deeds I do for people, the more likely I’ll go to heaven.  No!  Again, my motivation must be because I love God and I love my neighbor as myself. 

4 Love is patient, We are to be patient, especially with imperfect people.

love is kind. We should be active in doing good to other people.

It does not envy, We shouldn’t look at what others have and be angry that we don’t have what they have.

it does not boast, If we have God’s love within us, we shouldn’t say, “Hey, look at me.  I’m a Christian.  Can’t you tell by how good I am?”  Our lives should speak for themselves.

it is not proud.  Peter said in his first letter that God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.  He goes on to say that we should humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, and He will exalt us in due time.  Proverbs 16:18 says that pride goes before destruction.

5 It is not rude, We are to be courteous and polite with good manners, not being obnoxious.

it is not self-seeking, We’re not to look for what we can gain for ourselves, but look out for the good of others.

it is not easily angered, We are not to let the bad things that people do to us make us mad.  It’s like “grin and bear it.”  That is not an easy thing to do, because we want to strike back, we want to get revenge and hurt them as much or more than they hurt us.

it keeps no record of wrongs. This is really forgiveness.  Don’t keep a list of all the bad things people have done to you.  All it will do is make you angry and bitter.

6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. We’re not to be delighted in evil things but rejoice in things that are truthful, that reflect the truth of God.

7 It always protects, Looks out for the good of others, protecting them from harm.

always trusts, or believes the best about others.

always hopes, Never gives up on people.

always perseveres. Perseveres and remains loyal to God to the very end, no matter what may come our way.

8 Love never fails. The agape of God never fails.  His love will never fail us.  He will love us no matter what we do, no matter how many mistakes we make, no matter how far away we stray from Him, He will always love us.  And that’s the way we must be.  We must love others no matter what they do to us.  God loves us unconditionally, and we must love others that same way.  Our love for others must not be dependent on whether or not they behave like we think they should or whether or not they treat us nicely.  We must love others the way God loves us.  Jesus told His disciples to love each other as He loved them, then people would know that they were His disciples.  The greatest need of people is love.