The Heart Behind the Act

If I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. —1 Corinthians 13:2

If I were to take Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 13 and paraphrase them in a modern way, it might sound something like this:

Though I keep a spotless house and am faithful in church attendance, though I teach Sunday school every week and lead a Bible study and homeschool my kids, if I do it without love, I am nothing.

And if I take care of my sister’s kids while she’s in the hospital and make enormous sacrifices for my family but do it out of a sense of obligation or a desire to impress rather than love, it’s worth nothing.

Though I care for my aging parents for years and share my faith with others and read my Bible and memorize Scripture and give generously to the poor, missionaries, and other ministries and have not love, it’s nothing. A big fat zero.

Love is not only the act; it’s also the heart behind the act. Paul says we are to follow the way of love.