“If I speak human or angelic languages
but do not have love,
I am a sounding gong or a clanging cymbal.” (1 Corinthians 13:1)

The Apostle, Paul, is in no way suggesting, or implying, that there is a specific language that God has given angels that we humans are to try to attain, nor that attaining the angelic language would be a sign of a deeper spirituality, as some would have us believe. At this point, the Apostle, Paul’s main focus is the supremacy of love over all things, including acquiring new languages.

The lesson that God teaches us is that, even if we could speak many different languages, they would sound like a gong, or cymbal, they would not be recognizable, nor do anyone any good.  Love, on the other hand, is a universal language for which no words are needed.  Love is expressed by actions that all people groups around the world can understand.  All acts of kindness motivated by love are understood by all nations and languages.  We don’t need words to demonstrate the love of Jesus to anyone.

Jesus tells us that there are two major commandments,

“He said to him, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important command. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37-39).”

Do you see it?! Love God first, and love others, Christians and non-Christians alike. The two most important commandments Jesus gave us.  But Jesus also talked directly to us Christians and gave us a specific command,

“I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you must also love one another. By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another (John 13:34-35).”

Love is making the conscious decision to be intentional in supplying the spiritual, physical, emotional, material, and financial needs of others, without expecting anything in return.  The words, “I love you”, mean nothing without actions that prove them.  Therefore, actions speak louder than words.  Make time, today, to love God and love others. It’s good for the soul.

So, then,

• are your words a “clanging cymbal”, or are you putting action to them?
• How will you obey today’s Scriptures?
• With whom will you share today’s Scriptures?
• With whom will you share the story of your salvation and the story of what Jesus did for you, today?

In Christ’s love,

Phil