Today’s Encouragement is, “If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13:3 NLT
If I Didn’t Love –
The entire Chapter 13 is dedicated to Love. It is a description of God’s perfect Love (capital L), as opposed to man’s imperfect and selfish love (uncapitalized). “But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” 1 John 4:8
It begins with comparing Love to good deeds, spiritual gifts, and self-sacrifice (v1-3).
Without God’s Love within us, nothing we do or say, even giving everything to the poor, or sacrificing our lives, is anything; we are nothing without God’s Love within us.
Just being aware of His Love, doing good deeds, even sacrificial giving, knowing scripture, having great wisdom, and attending church do not compare with having His Love within us! We only have Him, we only “have Love,” when we have – first – accepted and received the gift, the blessing, the honor of His Love, living and alive within us. “We love each other because He first loved us” 1 John 4:19
Father, we are overwhelmed by the gift of Your Love. Help us live lives of Love, and to accept, allow, and receive the perfect gift of Your Love, so it will fill us and then overflow into others.
If I Don’t Have Love
Leland and Lauren Strahm
Today’s Encouragement 