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The Love Chapter Revisited
Even if I am pretty hot stuff, religiously speaking, if I have published 19 books, recorded 30 albums, and have my own radio show - if I don't have love in me, I am about as winning as a trombone blown in your bedroom to wake you up, or a noisy tambourine that somebody with a poor gift of rhythm shakes in your ear.
Yup, even though I have gifts of prophecy that are positively intimidating, even if I can bedazzle you with my knowledge of spiritual mysteries, speak in 24 different languages, (some earthly, and some heavenly) EVEN if I have so much faith that I can move Mt St. Helens back into itself - If I am not doing those things from love, then I am really nothing but a windbag.
If I strive to be the best philanthro.. phylitro.. phlinath... er, good-deed-doer, and I feed poor people, and give away big bucks, and even if I can rally half a million Christians and storm the governmental gates - or even if I give my very life, if I just do it for show, it wouldn't really get me anywhere, especially in God's eyes.
Love is patient, it's kind, love is happy for you when you succeed, rather than jealous and threatened. Love isn't snooty, and condescending. Love doesn't shake a bony finger, because that is rude. Love doesn't say "Yay for our side!", because it doesn't think evil of anyone. Those who are soaked in God's love are hard to provoke. Love does not plot it's own success at the cost of others because it rejoices in truth.
Love can stand in the face of weakness in others, it always hopes for the best and sees the best in others, rather than taking advantage of what is wrong. Love is still there when people goof up.
In the end, when the high power ministry careers and the woo woo mysterious stuff, and all the other trappings of religion are obsolete because we are face to face with God Himself, guess what, love will still be existing... forever... and ever. |
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