Live God Adventures

“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is for-knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked to child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish things behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face-to-face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13

God is Love. (1 John 4:8)

This portion of scripture is beautiful and is so often read or quoted at marriage ceremonies. But I want to let you know that this “Love” is not only for husband and wife. As Christians, we are to live and walk in love every day.

“God is Love. Whoever lives in Love lives in God, and God in him.” 1 John 4:8

As I was reading 1 Corinthians 13 today the Lord challenged me. Yes, speaking in tongues is wonderful and needed. Yes, prophecy is a wonderful gift. Yes, having faith that moves mountains is paramount. But do we believe that all scripture is true and without error? Then we must recognize that if we do not have love, walk in Love, live in Love, none of these other things matter. Imagine the annoyance of a clanging cymbal all the time. Just incessantly clanging and banging with no rhythm, no care, just constant. So annoying right? Well, that’s what the Bible compares us to if we do not live and walk in love. These gifts the Lord has given us are beautiful and wonderful. But we must steward them correctly and pay attention to how He tells us to use them.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” John 3.16

God is Love.

Now think of 1 Corinthians 13 in relation to God. All of these things Paul lists are things Jesus showed us as an example. When we get in the Word we learn more about His character and can live like Him. John 3:17 tells us that Jesus didn’t come to condemn us but to save us through Him. Are the words we speak, prophecies we see, things we say life giving or condemning?

For now, we know in part, we see a poor reflection of things to come. But He knows us, fully. He knows everything about us. He knows our motives, our thoughts, and His plans for us. So, let’s trust Him. Let’s put the people we lead, the people we serve, the people we minister to into His care. Let’s take Him at His Word and lets love on them. It’s the Holy Spirits job to convict (John 16:8) it’s our job to love them and tell them the truth.

Be encouraged.

Walk in love

Be patient, kind. Do not be envious, boastful, proud, rude, self-seeking, easily angered. Do not keep a record of wrongs or delight in evil. Always hope. Always trust. Always protect. He will not fail you.

God is Love.