1 Corinthians 13:2

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, but have not love, I am nothing.   

1 Corinthians 13:2

Paul was describing to the Corinthian church the gifts that are available to her by the Holy Spirit. But he stops mid-stream to do a quick heart check. The foundation for all these gifts is love. Without it we become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal (a great annoyance).  The exhortation through the rest of the chapter is that love should not only be spoken but also demonstrated for true love is an act of the will not a feeling.  

God the Father gave us the ultimate example: But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).  I’m convinced the strongest witness we have for the world around us is our love for one another. Jesus said in John 13:35 that by this love the world will know we are His disciples. Love your fellow Christians and love the world to Jesus.                                              

Esteeming others higher,   

Pastor Gerard Deleeuw