DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- LOVE - THE GREATEST GIFT

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – LOVE – THE GREATEST GIFT

"Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, l but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 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. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing." (I Corinthians 13:1-3)

As we read this letter from Paul to the Church at Corinth, it is evident that love was not a motivation.

What could I add to what the Apostle Paul wrote concerning love? What new insights could I give that would surpass all of the sermons I have heard preached about love? Probably nothing.

But I ask, "Why is it that with all the love songs we sing, there seems to be so little love in this world?" Could it be that we have the wrong definition of love?

It is clear from this chapter that love is more than a feeling. It is doing. It is like faith. Love without works is dead. I can sing love song all day, and declare my love all I want, but until the rubber meets the road and it is translated into action, it is dead.

And even all my actions such as preaching, helping the poor, and even giving my life as a martyr – are worth nothing if I do not love.

The reason is that love is not for my benefit or to make me feel good, or to make me look good. True love is always directed outward to someone else. It is for their benefit.

I admit that I have a long way to go in this love-experience. I can take no pride in the way I love. But hopefully, I am growing in a love that suffers long and is kind, is not rude, is not easily provoked, that bears all things, believes good about everyone, and endures all things. I am not there yet, but hopefully that gift of love that God gives is blossoming into some kind of good fruit. May God help me.

Love, Dad