If I have not love (v.1)

“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.” 1 Corinthians 13:1

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Angels feature a lot in the Christmas story – they are God’s messengers and the message they bring at Christmas is a very special one indeed. If we were ever to have the privilege of meeting an angel, that would certainly be a very special blessing. But the temptation with any profound spiritual experience is to think that therefore we must be special ourselves.

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The opening verses of this famous chapter make clear from the outset that whatever spiritual gifts or experiences we might be given, there is only one thing that matters in God’s eyes – love. Whatever gifts we have are not to make us look good or feel good, but to help us to do good to other people.

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That was the kind of love which Jesus showed when he came down into our world. It was the kind of love which took him to the lowest place of all, his death on a cross. Love always comes down, for the sake of others. And ultimately love is being like Jesus.