Mar 23 – I Am Nothing !

“And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge … but have not love, I am nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:2).

The gift of prophecy is indeed a precious gift. Though Jesus ascended into heaven two thousand years ago, even today He speaks comforting and edifying messages to us through His prophetic utterances. How often such words strengthen and encourage our hearts!

When ministers who are filled with love speak prophetically—it is received well and obeyed willingly. Even rebukes are received well and obeyed, when it is done in love. But when such prophetic words are spoken without love, then people become discouraged and wounded. A ministry without love produces no lasting fruit.

Likewise, a person may possess intellectual gifts. He may understand deep biblical mysteries that others cannot grasp. He may be a great scholar, clearly outlining the Second Coming and future events with remarkable clarity. Yet if he does not have love, it profits nothing. When we stand before God, it will not matter how educated we were or how gifted we appeared. What will matter is whether we acted in divine love. However many gifts a person may have, they are of no value, without love.

Consider a mobile phone. When we speak through it to our children or spouse in a distant land, their loving voice fills us with joy. The phone becomes a channel that conveys affection and longing. But if its battery is drained, it is useless.

In the same way, God speaks through prophets as though through a phone. A prophet is the mouthpiece of God. He foretells future events, strengthens believers, and reveals divine mysteries. Yet if love is absent in that prophet’s heart, everything becomes empty. His gifts benefit neither himself nor others.

Children of God, those who carry God’s message to humanity must be filled with the love of God. They must be filled with Calvary’s love and reflect the love of Christ in all they say and do.

Verse for further meditation: “If someone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?” (1 John 4:20).