We can be good at many things in this world, and do the most excellent things ever, but how we do it matters. And for what reason.
And now I will you the most excellent way.
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.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
We’ve all been on the receiving end of not love. We know what it feels like when we’ve been treated with rudeness, lack of kindness, and dishonor. We could care less how talented they are. But this isn’t about them. It’s about us.
Truth be told, many of us feel like we walk in these things the best we can. But if someone else were to rate us on these, would they say the same thing? There’s always room to grow.
Everything we do, every gift and talent we have, every skill that we’ve grown, the goal is about people. It is to strengthen, build up, and encourage people. No one person has it all. There are things we need to receive, and things we need to give, but the spirit in all these things is love.
Love is a force to be reckoned with as it doesn’t give up. It protects but not in a self-seeking, angry way. It trusts and hopes.
All of these things go as a team. They work together – protection, kindness, trust, hope and more.
But here’s the challenge. Love is easy when it is people we like. It’s easy to be kind to those who are kind to us. But Jesus challenges our love at a deeper love – How do we treat our enemies? And how do we treat people that are jerks to us?
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Mt 5:43-48).
Love is something that grows. For some, it comes naturally. For the rest of us, it is work. But all our gifts mean nothing, in fact they are even despised, if we do not have love.