“Oh, it was nothing, really.” Have you ever heard someone use those words? They usually follow one person paying another person a compliment. Trying to deflect praise, or trying (or not) to act humble, they might say those words. I think it is somewhat ironic that someone will use those words: “Oh, it was nothing, really” then go on and give an example of something else they had done.
But what if what they had done really was nothing? As in, NOTHING. Let me explain. In a passage familiar to most people, Paul uses these words: “And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.” (Emphasis mine)
Those verses are pretty plain. Whether you want to say the prophecy idea mentioned here is either fore-telling or forth-telling (my preferred), the meaning is clear. If you do either without love you are NOTHING. The other part of that verse is just as convicting. If I have mountain-moving faith, but no love, I am NOTHING. That’s right. If I have this super-strong faith that does the impossible, that can move mountains, but don’t have love, I am zip. Nada. That’s not saying I don’t matter, but it is saying my gift is worthless. Any gift given is for the benefit of others. But if I use that gift either for self-promotion or show or to impress, then it is being misused.
“Father, no matter my gift, let me use that gift for others- taking no credit, no accolades-but deflecting praise to You. And help me do it with love.”
Good Morning, Bill. Young in The LORD, I would pray that I would become – and be known as – a woman of faith. Years passed and after reading this vere many of times, one day the Truth of it – what you teah us here – was profound. I began asking Abba to make me known as a woman of great love; that I wanted to be able to Love unconditionally as He does. Hallelujah!
Good morning Diane. Good to hear from you. That is a good prayer to pray and only time will really fulfill that as our faith is tested. Yours has been and it can be said.
Such a great reminder to all of us that love should always be the epicenter of all we think, say and do. We are nothing without it!
Blessings, Bill!
You are so right Martha. Without love we are nothing.
It’s sad when people try and disguise what they do as being love, when the intent of the heart is quite the opposite!
You are right Ed. It takes discernment on our part to know that and that is sometimes hard to figure out.