Without Love, You’re Wasting Your Time

pastorrick.com/without-love-youre-wasting-your-time

November 8, 2023

by Rick Warren — November 8, 2023

From How God Turns Setbacks into Comebacks

“If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do have not love, I am only a
resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.”

1 Corinthians 13:1 (NIV)

We were put here on Earth to learn to love God and others. Love is our greatest aim in life.

In the first few verses of 1 Corinthians 13, the Bible makes it clear why love is the most
important value:

Without love, all that you say is ineffective. “If I speak in the tongues of men or of
angels, but do have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal” (1
Corinthians 13:1 NIV). Words without love are just noise. People resent and reject unloving
words. But they will listen and respond to words spoken in love.

Without love, all that you know is incomplete. “If I have the gift of prophecy and can
fathom all mysteries and all knowledge . . . but do not have love, I am nothing” (1
Corinthians 13:2 NIV). The world is exploding with information and knowledge, yet many of
our most basic problems are not being solved. That’s because the world really is not looking
for more knowledge; the world is looking for love.

Without love, all that you believe is insufficient. “If I have a faith that can move
mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:2 NIV). Many people have
the misconception that being a Christian is just about believing certain truths and doctrines.
But do you love Jesus? Do you realize he loves you? Christianity is about experiencing the
love Jesus has for you and learning how to love like him.

Without love, all that you give is insignificant. “If I give all I possess to the poor . . . but
do not have love, I gain nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:3 NIV). There are all kinds of motivations
for giving, including obligation or prestige or guilt. Just because you give doesn’t mean
you’re doing it in love. You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving.

Without love, all that you accomplish is inadequate. “If I were burned alive for preaching
the Gospel but didn’t love others, it would be of no value whatever” (1 Corinthians 13:3
TLB). You can have all kinds of great accomplishments. You can even sacrifice your life for
the greatest cause in the world—the Kingdom of God—but without love, it’s wasted effort.

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You can have the eloquence of an orator, the knowledge of a genius, the faith of a miracle
worker, the generosity of a philanthropist, and the dedication of a martyr. But if you don’t
love, it doesn’t count.

The good news is that you can love others because God first loved you. As you live within
his love, Jesus says he will help you to love others. When you draw closer to him, your
ability to love will increase—he makes it possible for you to live out the calling to love
others.

PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick

Talk It Over

Why do people usually listen and respond better when we speak to them with
gentleness, humility, and love?
What is your greatest motivation to tithe? What is your greatest motivation to give to
your favorite cause or nonprofit organization?
What is the biggest difference in someone whose accomplishments are marked by
love as opposed to someone who isn’t marked by love?

Give hope, prayer, and encouragement below. Post a comment & talk about
it.

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