August 16, 2005

 

And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

--1 Corinthians 13:2

 

Many years ago, I remember preaching at the Chapel by the Lake, a beautiful outdoor amphitheater on the ocean, in West Palm Beach, Florida where I was the pastor of First Baptist Church. Our Sunday evening services took place there about six months out of the year.

 

I remember preaching one Sunday on abortion. I was pontificating on the sin and snuffing out the lives of the unborn. As I was preaching, the Spirit of God said to me, “Jack, that’s good and you’re right, but what are you going to do about it?”

 

I couldn’t get away from that burning question in my heart and I began to pray about what our church could do. It was out of that experience when I was preaching and proclaiming the truth that God spoke to me about loving acts. After that, our church developed a pregnancy center and it’s been something very dear to my heart since then.

 

Its one thing to denounce sin and proclaim truth, but we must provide answers and alternatives in love to those who are hurting. The opposite of love is not hate—it is indifference. People are dying all around us and often our indifference and unwillingness to respond indicts us all.

 

You may walk with the Lord every day, be close to Him, teach a Bible study class, be actively involved in your church, or be a noted Bible scholar, but if you do not have love, you are nothing. The Lord requires you to get out of your comfort zone and love those who are hurting, helpless, and hopeless.

 

I believe in the power of biblical truth, but lost people are not attracted to a church primarily because of what it believes, but how it behaves. If they feel loved and they experience Christ’s love firsthand from His people, then they will yearn to know Him. Ask the Lord to give you a Spirit of love so you can minister to those who don’t know Him.

 

LOVE IS GREATER THAN PROPHECY AND INSIGHT.