Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging 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, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body [a]to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

1 Corinthians 13:1-3 (NKJV)

 

God's love is the basis of the gospel.

If we understand the gospel in the same way that God revealed it, we will see that God's greatest desire is not for us to help the disadvantaged or feed the hungry. Instead, God wants us to love the needy first before we act. According to the Apostle Paul, if we only proclaim the message of God's love to others without living it, we are nothing more than a sounding brass or clanging cymbal.

We can engage in ministry with the wrong motivation. Like the Corinthians, we can serve in ways that feed our egos or give us importance. Without love, our service and sacrifices are useless showpieces.

Love is the most valuable gift we can give to those we claim to care for and serve. Without love, we would never be able to fulfil God's calling on our lives with compassion and joy. We are to follow Jesus by carrying out the only mandate He gave us: love others as He loves us.

It can be difficult to love someone when we clearly see their imperfections and judge or reject them. If Jesus can love us unconditionally, without expecting anything in return, we can learn to lean on His grace to love others as He commands.