Charity, Part II: I Am Nothing (1 Corinthians 13:2)
2022-12-29
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. (1 Corinthians 13:2)
Like the gifted linguist from the previous verse, the gifted preacher, who can understand the deep truths of God’s Word, is nothing without charity. He adds no value when his skills are not used to love others. “Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth” (1 Corinthians 8:1).
What about faith? We know that the Lord Jesus told us, “If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you” (Matthew 17:20). However, it is worthless without love for others. “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone” (James 2:17).
Are you a gifted preacher and exegete? Do you have massive knowledge of God’s Word? Do you have the gift of trusting God beyond the average brother in the Lord? Love others with those gifts and invest those skills and gifts in other people.