If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. – 1 Cor 13

I’ve read it a hundred times. Heard it at weddings. Even used it at weddings a few times myself. Maybe one of the most spoken verses in the Bible. Maybe it is time that it is the most lived verse in the Bible.

Last night at exchange, we explored Mark 8:29-32 and the idea of be-do-have (click here for the full audio under “Imagine: Cause unlocked”). We explored how before we do all the stuff of serving we need to be connected to Christ.

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Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others. 1 Cor 10:24

Paul is again instructing the church. Evidently there was some selfishness and self-centeredness going on. Can’t imagine that. Maybe Paul’s hope was that if the church could be totally selfless in the early stages, she would have such an impact on the world that she would be unstoppable.

What would that be like?

I can imagine a church were people are totally living outside of themselves. A place where the focus is on the other person. A place where needs are met and wants are shelved. A place where people find a home and find God. A place so overwhelming and a God so compelling, that people are naturally drawn to it. A place where we wrestle with self.

Why can’t a place like that exist?

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He does not answer when men cry out because of the arrogance of the wicked. – Job 35

Job’s friend is unloading on him. Finger shaking, voice raised. Maybe a little cadence like a preacher getting fired up. Why does God not answer? One simple reason: arrogance.

I run across people who have no use for God. That is, until something bad happens. Then everyone becomes praying people. “We are praying, but God doesn’t seem to be doing anything.” I want to look at them and say “Why would he? You had no use for him when you had things under control. In your arrogance you had no use for him.” Then, I think of my life.

“God,” I say “where are you in the middle of my crisis?”

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When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power. – I Cor 2:1-5

Paul is giving instruction to a church. Among other things, there seems to have been some division on who the church was following. Some were saying they were better than others because the were baptized by this person or that. They were influenced by a certain person, so they must be better. They must be right.

Paul just lays it down. The messengers are nothing, the wisdom is nothing. The real deal is Jesus. Period. Nothing more.

The recent stuff with Ted Haggard has hit me pretty hard. I have met Ted, read a book he wrote, been to his church, even talked briefly one afternoon with one of his staff.

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