I Corinthians 13:1-3 Status Update: Good Deeds - Jesus = ZERO

Proposition: Because God calls us to more than BEING and DOING good, we must see Jesus as the POWER SOURCE of all we are and all we do.

“1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profits me nothing.”

Just knowing “What Would Jesus Do” is not enough.  Paul used hyperbole (exaggerated statements to create emphasis) to make his point in these verses.  IF I could speak every language, IF I had the prophetic gift to know every secret God knows, IF I give everything to the poor or give my body to be burned…all these things are not enough by themselves.

Paul wanted to shock the Corinthians.  Can you imagine the shock and horror of the Corinthians upon opening & hearing this letter?  They thought they had their religious “ducks in a row”, however, they lacked one essential thing….LOVE!  Their 'tongues' neither edified the church or allowed pagans to respond to the word (14:1-25).   Their 'knowledge' led to pride and the 'destruction of a brother for whom Christ died' (8:2, 11).  Their 'wisdom' led to quarrels and rivalry (1:10; 3:4).  What the Corinthians called “spirituality” lacked the primary evidence of the Spirit.

To Paul, love was more than merely doing loving or kind deeds.  Paul was not saying, “Be more loving” or “Add love to your gifts...be more patient, kind...”  This love Paul was speaking of is about an identity.  It’s God’s love inside the believer so you either have it or you don’t.  It’s not a feeling or some things you do necessarily it's more about how God’s love flows from us in everyday life.  This is a process of growth that will take place throughout our lifetime.

Why is this important to understand? Because acts devoid of Godly love fall short of God's righteous laws and God's glory.  Humans, on their own, cannot measure up to God's standards or earn God's approval even by doing seemingly “loving” things.  The only one who does live up to God's standard is Jesus and He must empower every act we do in order for it to qualify as worthy.  Fulfilling God's law requires being indwelt by the nature of Jesus, the law keeper (Jn 15:5).

So love is NOT “A” behavior, it “IS the SOURCE of” behavior (I John 4:7-16).  Those in Christ bear fruit which flow out of the new nature of love.  Over time...Scripture, prayer, the Holy Spirit and the body make us more loving.  Love is the natural fruit of the Spirit which flows into and out of believers (Galatians 5:22).  Love is a heart attitude which constrains your life (II Cor. 5:14).  Love is something from which you CANNOT be separated (Rom 8:38-39).

So Paul point?  God is love and God is the source of love.

CHALLEGE

Is God making you more loving or are you just trying harder to be religious or spiritual?
Has anything become more important to you than loving God and neighbor?
In what ways is God's love being poured into you? How are you pouring it out?

Songs With This Sermon
Blessed Be Your Name
You Alone
Beneath The Cross
How Great Is Our God
Are You Washed