Nothing Against Gongs, But…

“If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.  If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.  And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned but do not have love, it profits me nothing.”  (1 Corinthians 13:1-3)

As a wife…
If my husband has a sounding board for all his business dreams, if he can benefit from my multitude of advice on finances, child-rearing and how to fold towels, if he has a fellow fan for Braves games and a sideline fishing partner, but I will not surrender the need to be right in favor of Christ’s example of selflessness, then I have not loved him.

As a mother…
If my children obey me every time, if they know how to use “kind words” and a “soft touch,” if they have remarkable vocabularies and creativity and are completely potty trained, but do not know Christ’s unwavering and sacrificial love through my demonstration, then I have totally missed the point.

As a homemaker…
If the dishes are in the cabinet and not in the sink, if I can make unique, delicious and nutritious meals that even a 3-year-old will eat, if the house is clean, dust free and decorated with the ingenuity of a designer, but it is not also home to the peaceful, gracious and loving spirit of Christ, then my efforts are in vain.

As an employee and co-worker…
If I excel in creative design work and expert marketing advice, if I can handle client needs with patience and wisdom, if I can successfully juggle every project within deadlines and budgets, but my work relationships are not characterized by respect and the understanding that each person is of infinite worth to Christ, then I have not born witness to His practical love.

As a world citizen…
If I can understand the implications of various world views on our society and culture, if I can offer a biblical perspective on current events and popular ideas, if I can commit myself to knowing and doing right even when it’s unpopular, but I can not see and approach each person with the eyes and compassionate, merciful love of Jesus, then I know nothing of the way of Christ.

(See this article on ehow.com under the title “How to Live Out Love“)