Key Element!

Some things by themselves are not good enough. For example, oatmeal made without salt does not taste very good at all. You might have a state-of-the-art stereo system, but without speakers what good is it? You might have a beautifully shined automobile with leather upholstery, fancy wheels, etc. -- but without an engine, where will you go? These things might look good, but when missing an important element, what good are they?

This is a point Paul tried to get across to the church in Corinth. They were a very gifted church, but were missing a key element in their life together.

We read…
“(1) If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but HAVE NOT LOVE, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. (2) And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but HAVE NOT LOVE, I am nothing. (3) If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but HAVE NOT LOVE, I gain nothing.” ( 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 ESV)

LOVE is an element we cannot go without. Though we may be a very gifted individual, WITHOUT LOVE, Paul pointed out, it is JUST NOISE! Even if we have lots of smarts, can explain lots of things, and have lots of faith -- WITHOUT LOVE we ARE NOTHING! And even if we are self-sacrificing in service, WITHOUT LOVE we GAIN NOTHING!

I’m one of those people who thinks “sour cream” goes with just about everything. Though you might not agree, the thing we must agree to accept is this: LOVE DOES (and must) GO WITH EVERYTHING! Live each day acknowledging that LOVE IS IT! We have nothing without it! LOVE PROFITS!

Have a great day COMPELLED BY LOVE TO THE GLORY OF GOD!
Carl

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[This focus was originally sent 09/01/1998 (Edited some with passage changed to ESV)]

See other teEn-MAIL on Love