1 Corinthians 13
1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
Paul is not speaking of charity as in giving to the poor. He makes that clear in verse 3. Each time he says "have not charity" he is saying "have not love" No matter what you do in this life if you don't have "LOVE" then you are nothing. You can have more money than you know what to do with and you can give to the poor until your pockets are empty, but unless you love them, it will not help you in any way. The key is love. We must learn to love one another. Paul goes on to teach us what the attributes of love are.
4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
8 Charity never faileth:
It's easy to love someone that loves you back, but it's all the others that we must love if we are to please God. When we see that performer on stage doing things that would make the devil blush, or that prostitute on the corner that you know is spreading disease, or that drunkard that maybe caused the death of a loved one...it's these that we must love. We can't look at them with revulsion but we must look at them through the eyes of Jesus Christ and see beyond the horrors of their lives and see a soul that God loves. We must learn to love them and pray for their souls to be saved. We are all so quick to say how bad those things are that these type of people are doing, but very seldom do I hear anyone say anything about that poor, lost soul. Jesus taught us that unless we become as little children, we will not enter into his kingdom. A little child will love anybody. They are trusting and have the faith that could move a mountain. If only we could be that way.
I don't know where my thoughts are taking me right now. I just know that this world is in desperate need of LOVE. LOVE is the KEY that will unlock the windows of heaven and allow BLESSINGS to fall. Love your enemies and pray for them, it may be your prayer that saves their soul from hell. Leave the vengeance to God, it is his job, not ours. We are only to LOVE...
Romans 12:9-21
9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
Kathy Wellman
Reference: King James Bible
