Still Nothing

When I was a teen (no, there were no dinosaurs then) I belonged to a Southern Baptist youth organization called Girl's Auxiliary (no, it doesn't exist today, either.) Instead of 'grades', there were 'steps' - Lady-in-Waiting, Princess, Queen, Queen Regent and Queen with a Scepter (or vice-versa, I forget whether Regent or Scepter came first.) That doesn't matter, though.

What does matter is what I learned about Jesus, the application of biblical principles to my life and the scriptures I memorized. 1 Corinthians' thirteenth chapter was one, only we started with the last verse from the previous chapter.  Paul had been discussing the gifts of the spirit - actually admonishing the church at Corinth to appreciate all the gifts. Then he writes:

And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way. (1 Corinthians 12:28-31 KJV)

That ‘more excellent way’ was our lesson last Sunday. That ‘more excellent way’ is having the godly love that is necessary to live the abundant Christian life the Bible defines. Without that love, we are nothing.

In the first three verses of chapter 13, Paul gives examples that sound so much as if they would be the perfect display of Christianity. The world’s greatest orator could be understood in every language, but without love, we might has well be banging cymbals. Even the most knowledgeable scientists and the greatest prophets of all time are nothing, without love. A church member can give the most money, serve on the high profile committees, accomplish everything on his agenda, but without love, Paul says “it profiteth me nothing.”

Motives are of the utmost importance, aren’t they? Everything done for self is valued at nothing. The tiniest thing done for another turns out to be great.

I’ve visited this topic of ‘nothing’ and these verses before – and I probably will again in the future simply because has a great bearing on the excellent way to not only love our Lord (the first and great commandment) but to love our neighbor (the second commandment.) That love is not only the more excellent way, without it there is nothing.

One of the best examples of this love in action was a lady at our church who helps serve families during funerals. We had been asked to sign a book that listed those who brought dishes, sent flowers, helped in general. The widow wanted to be certain she thanked everyone. This lady declined – very sweetly, very kindly – and said it was OK, the Lord knew. Can we be as unselfish? Are we aware that we are serving Him, and need nothing more?

We each need to look to our own motives – why do we (or we do we NOT) do things for our fellow man? Are we paying ahead hoping for something in return, or can we do for others without letting people know?