By Jennifer Moreno
Throughout my walk as a growing Christian, I have to stay nothing struck me more than the following verse in the Bible. 1 Corinthians 16:14 says – “Let all that you do be done in love.”
For a long time I used to read the verse and didn’t really meditate on it or process it enough, I thought it was clear and to the point. It had always made sense to me, but it became more real when I had to apply in my own life. I realized that the entire law is fulfilled with this one simple command God gave us and truly you can do all things in truth, but without love there is nothing. Pastor James McDonald couldn’t have said it better … “All love and no truth is hypocrisy. And all truth and no love is hypocrisy.” Pastor James McDonald.
In other words, you can show a lot of love, but if there is no truth in it, you’re not being real. And if you’re all about truth and righteousness, but do it in arrogance and with no love, there you will find hypocrisy.
There is nothing wrong with preaching the good news, talking to people about Jesus, praying for people, etc., but it is key that at the center of it all, love is in it.
1 Corinthians 13:2 Paul’s makes a clear point about this “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.”
So what does love look like and what does it mean? In 1 Corinthians 13 it defines it as love being patient and kind. Patience and kindness truly goes a long way and isn’t that what we all need? Love is not jealous or boastful or proud. It doesn’t demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
As Christians we have to be careful that we do not fall into sin by having spiritual pride. Meaning we shouldn’t judge others subconsciously and not reach out to someone because we believe they won’t hear the Word of God or because there is too much sin in their lives. Who are we to judge? Are we not sinners ourselves and did God not have grace on us? Did Jesus not call us to be fisher of men?
Everyone should be able to hear the good news despite where they are in life, it is our duty. No one should be exempt from it, but one thing we should NOT do is shove the gospel down someone’s throat. It is ultimately that person’s personal choice and responsibility. If we share God’s word, we must do it in love and with compassion.
So if you must, whatever you do, do it in love and with compassion…because out of all these things, faith, hope and love. Love is the greatest of them all. – 1 Corinthians 13:13.
And “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:35.
Amen.
GODLY WORDS MINISTRIES 