Without Love, We are Nothing

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.  

1 Corinthians 13:2

We learn through the word that God's very nature is Holy, which is what we should all strive to be.  But, the scripture also lets us know, love is the very essence of God.  When we apply the fruit of the spirit in our life, love is the very first fruit listed  that we are to adorn ourselves in.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.   Galatians 5:22-23 

When we read the ‘Love Chapter’ found in  1^st Corinthians 13, it lets us know that love is more desirous  than all the other gifts of God:

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.  1 Corinthians 13:2

*  Tongues given by the Holy Spirit: Someday these tongues will cease. Whether you speak in tongues known or unknown to men, it is a powerless message without love. (Verses l and 8)

*  Knowledge and understanding: Knowledge is powerful, but someday human knowledge will vanish. Love will remain. (Verse 8)

*  The gift of prophecy: What a powerful gift prophecy is-- to be able to speak a direct message from God and foretell future events. But prophecies will someday cease. (Verses 8-12)

*  Faith: Even if you have enough faith to move mountains, it is nothing if you do not have love. (Verse 2)

*  Giving: No matter how much you give to others, it is of no benefit unless given in love. (Verse 3)

*  Martyrdom: Even if you were to die for the cause of the Gospel, it is a worthless sacrifice unless done in love. (Verse 3)

*  Hope: Hope is important because without it life is full of despair. But love is more important than hope. (Verse 13)

Remember this:

All other principles of spiritual power, all spiritual gifts, all ministries 

must operate through the power of love, or they are useless. 

When everything else fails, the power of love will succeed.

By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.  John 13:35

v    If you do not love other believers, God's love is not in you.  

He that says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness even until now.  He that loves his brother abides in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.  1 John 2:9-10

     ®     Love of other believers results in spiritual unity which is a powerful force. 

When they were united in prayer, Pentecost happened (Acts 2). They were of "one heart and mind" 

And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.   Acts 4:32 

     ®     and with power continued to testify 

And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.   Acts 4:33

     ®     They devoted themselves to the unity of fellowship 

And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.   Acts 2:42 

     ®     and many signs and wonders were done 

And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
    Acts 2:43

v     AS difficult as it may seem, we are even to love your enemies:  

Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.  But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.   Matthew 5:43-44

v     Our love is to abound, which means it is to continually increase.  

And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment.   Philippians 1:9  

And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:  1 Thessalonians 3:12

v     We are to be rooted and grounded in love.  

That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God.  Ephesians 3:17-19

If we are to be filled with the fullness of God and His power, we must have love. It is important to power because it eliminates fear.  

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.   1 John 4:18

v     We are to walk in love.  

And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour.   Ephesians 5:2

v     We are to "forbear" or relate to others in love.  

With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love. Ephesians 4:2

v     We are to keep our self in love.  

Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.   Jude 21

But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.   1 Timothy 6:11

v     Faith, which is so important to power, works by love: 

For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.   Galatians 5:6

v     Our work for the Lord is to be a labor of love: 

Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;  1 Thessalonians 1:3

For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward His name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.   Hebrews 6:10

We should daily strive to develop, build and maintain our relationship with God; endeavoring to be as Apostle Paul, who walked in love and obedience to God, said with assurance that nothing can separate us from God's love:

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Romans 8:35, 38-39





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