The Primacy of Love
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. I Corinthians 13:2
In the pursuit of divine truth, a right, deep, and full understanding of the scriptures, there is a great hazard that must be avoided…failing to love! The scripture proclaims countless times, the centrality of love, and the priority of love. ”If I have not love I am nothing.” In rebuking the Pharisees Christ proclaimed “Woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.1 How can we get so focused on splitting every doctrinal hair that we leave our central calling as Christians ignored? Jesus compared this theological gaffe to straining out gnats while swallowing camels, I think he was trying to make a very strong point.
Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.2 I am told that when Hitler was taking over Germany the theologians were all arguing over how long the draperies should be. Have we missed the baby by seeking to thoroughly study the bathwater? We may know the correct temperature, the exact well it came from, and whether or not it contained any E-coli but to what avail! All of the law and prophets hang on love. And if we lack love, no matter how much theology we know, our very salvation is in doubt for this is the sign of our authenticity.
1. Luke 11:42
2. 1 Corinthians 8:1
