1 Corinthians 13:1-3 () 13:1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 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. 3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. #Bible
These verses are beautiful to read and communicate practically everything in christian ministry. Wonderful gifts of the Holy Spirit to serve the body of Christ, but as stated they are totally useless or meaningless if not accompanied by Love. Any other intention or motivation for doing acts of Love or as the KJV translates, Charity, is like a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
When an act of Love accompanies an ulterior motive usually its quite obvious to the individuals motivation. Selfish reasonings have a way of rising to the surface, and can be obvious to the point of being irritating or frustrating.
When Love is the motivation the act is pure, and most of the time invisible to others who aren't involved or close by. It reminds me of a big lake, even thought you don't see the boat passing by, you do see the small waves lapping up on the shore. You know the boat has passed.
As I have stated before the best way to imitate Jesus is to Love like He Loves, without expecting anything in return. Even when you show Love and end up being offended or maybe worse. The Love of God commands us to not react negatively or retaliate, but simply continue to Love, because that's how God Loves. God will take care of the offence, and the offender, we don't have to worry about that. We get to enjoy residing in the Glorious Love of God, and we have everything to gain.
