“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.”
1 Corinthians 13:1-3 (TPT)
The Pharisees and the Sadducees questioned Jesus, “What is the greatest commandment of all?” Jesus replied, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself’” (Matthew 22:37-39 NLT). Jesus goes on in verse 40, and makes a bold and interesting statement, “All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” To see the fruit of God’s promises in our lives, the foundation needs to be love. GOD’S LOVE.
The Apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 13, talks about the love of God, and how it should be our foundation and motive in everything that we do. We can talk and say the right things, but if our motive is not love, then it is just noise. We can be gifted people and have faith to move mountains, yet if we do not have love, we are nothing. We can do favors and be generous to people, yet if our motive is not love, Paul says, “I gain nothing.” The Bible says, “Man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). It may look like we are saying and doing the right things, people may applaud us for our hard work, yet if our heart is not centered in or motivated by the love of God, it will profit us nothing. Remember, everything that we do must be motivated by God’s love.
Ask yourself this question, “Are the things that I do motivated by the love of God?” Whether it is spending time with God doing your devotions, talking to your family members, co-workers, serving the Lord, or giving back to your community, what is your motive? I believe when our motive is love, we can experience the promises of God in our lives!
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT
When I first came to Word of Life, I heard Pastor Art share a powerful phrase which was, “Loving people back to life.” I experienced a new life in Christ because the pastors and leaders demonstrated God’s love to me. I believe when the church shares the love of God with people, lives will be changed, families will be restored, and we will see our state won for Jesus!
In the next 10 days, some of the G12 leaders and pastors will break down 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, God’s love. Whether you are a seasoned believer, or just starting your walk with God, let us lean in and hear what the Spirit of God is ministering to us. Let us raise our standard to walk in God’s love. (Walter Arguelles)
TODAY’S DECLARATION
“Thank You Lord that the Holy Spirit has poured Your love into my heart. Your love in me will motivate me in how I speak and in what I speak and in how I respond and behave in my life every day, in Jesus’ Name!”
TODAY’S BIBLE READING
- Old Testament: 2 Kings 22-23; Psalms 121
- New Testament: Luke 6:43-49; Philippians 4:8-13
