The Great Equalizer
“and if I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13:2
Do not have – In the preclude to the love hymn of the New Testament (1 Cor. 13:4-8), Paul provides us with the great equalizer. In Greek de me echo – “but I do not have”. Why is this the expression that brings every one of us to the same starting point before we launch into love? Because in order to understand the New Testament concept of love, I must first understand that all of my previous rank ordering of the world doesn’t make any difference. Love begins where human achievement ends, even if that achievement appears to be wonderfully useful and fulfilling. Before Paul can introduce us to the true meaning of love, he must first strip us of our badges of pride.
Who among us would not want to have “Prophet” on the resume? Who would not want to know it all? Who wouldn’t want to understand all the mysteries of life? And who would not want faith so strong that mountains were moved at our command? Didn’t Jesus say that this should be our goal? Didn’t He laud such insight, knowledge and application? If someone showed up at the door of your church with these credentials, wouldn’t you pull out the golden cushion or give her a place on the stage? Wouldn’t you be tempted to hold him up as a spiritual giant, a hero of the faith?
Paul says “No”. All of this is attractive baggage but the suitcases are empty unless love comes to town. But how often has the packaging dazzled us?
There are two important, very important implications in Paul’s great equalizer. The first is this: without the sacrificial love characterized by the God who gives up Himself, all of our trophies, certificates and resumes are useless. The second is just as important. With love that gives itself up for others, the rest of the credentials don’t really matter.
What resume are you presenting to the Master? The one filled with lists before you came to the playing field of humility or the one that comes with an empty hand?
