If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 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 do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
-1 Corinthians 13:1-3
These verses 1 Corinthians 13 1-3 come immediately before the recognizable, “Love is patient, Love is kind . . “ which we’ve all become accustomed to hearing at weddings.
In Verses 1-3, Paul begins by asserting that spiritual gifts, no matter how extraordinary, are meaningless without love. He says if I do not have love, “I am a noisy gong or a clanging symbol.” This verse reminds me of the marching bands at Mardi Gras. The drums and clanging symbols are often the noisiest and most common sound of a Mardi Gras parade. When they passed me, I couldn’t help but feel sympathy for the parents who were stationed very close to the noisy gong. It must have been love that motivated them to walk with their child’s marching band.
All kidding aside, these verses make us question our motivations. If we profess our love of God to all, but do not have love, then that profession is meaningless. I think of those in our community and nation who profess their Christianity as something that separates us from others, that inspires them to want to force immigrants out of their communities or to engage in wars that topple regimes. But these verses state so clearly that if we do not have love, we gain nothing.
Unfortunately, too often, people can be cruel in the name of God. Why are Christians so cruel? This is the question David French said last December that he hears everywhere he goes. French, an evangelical Christian and a conservative columnist for the New York Times, laments that the public face of Christianity in the United States is represented by words and actions so contrary to the life and teachings of Jesus. French explored in a December column how Christian fundamentalists take opportunities to tell people they are wrong, often in the most strident ways. Instead as Christians we are to truly imitate Christ. “Jesus told us to take up our own cross, not to nail others to that terrible tree.” French quotes his former pastor who used the phrase “upside-down kingdom of God” as a place where the first are last, where you love your enemies, where you bless those who persecute you, and where you sacrifice to serve your neighbor. A tall order indeed, but one we must try to emulate if we are to call ourselves Christians.
My dream would be that Christians are identifiable because we show love and compassion. The old Catholic song, “They will know we are Christians by our love,” seems the perfect accompaniment for today’s lesson. Wouldn’t it be remarkable if people could identify as Christians because we are so loving toward others? That our houses of worship are welcoming places for all to come and worship the Lord?
“We will work with each other, we will work side by side
And we’ll guard each man’s dignity and save each man’s pride,
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love,
Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.”
I also love how the song emphasizes guarding each person’s dignity and saving each person’s pride. If we could all try to treat individuals with dignity and respect, we would go a long way toward finding the upside-down kingdom of God. As a relatively new paraplegic, I’m often struck by how some people refuse to look me in the eye – either they are uncomfortable and don’t know how to act or they refuse to acknowledge me as an equal human being. While I can’t be sure of their motives, I do know when people treat me with dignity, I feel loved and important. I truly believe this is what Jesus instructs us to do in our everyday lives.
1 Corinthians 13 challenges believers to evaluate their motives and actions, ensuring that love underpins all spiritual gifts, service, and personal conduct. It calls for sacrificial patient, and enduring love, reflecting the love of Christ in everyday life. This chapter is often cited in Christian teaching and worship as a model for living a life that honors God and serves others with humility and grace.
Musical Reflection - They'll Know We Are Christians By Our Love - Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
Heavenly Father and Loving Christ, remind us that without love, we have nothing. We are just noise. And our noise can sometimes offend. Instead, we must live as Christ taught us. To love our enemies, to bless those who persecute us, and sacrifice to serve our neighbors with dignity and respect. Help us to do so. Amen.
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