No satisfaction!

"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 Corinthians 13:1-3

Our family is full of jokesters. Quite often, when a box of crackers is empty, one of the men in the family will neatly place it back in the closet as if it was still full. Then, my dear wife will reach in for a quick snack and find... nothing! Absolutely nothing! The appearance of the box is always quite promising, but with nothing inside, there is no satisfaction.

The spiritual life and ministry is very much the same. The outer box may look great and might attract great interest, but it's what's inside that counts. Love is not just an action; it's the very heart of the matter. Believers that appear pleasing may look quite promising, but with nothing inside, there is no satisfaction.

Our ministry is the saving and nurturing of souls. The Lord has sent us out into the world to satisfy hungry and thirsty lives with love. But we can never accomplish this calling with empty boxes that just look good. Are you filled with and compelled by the love of Jesus? The world needs more than an empty promise of love, because with nothing inside, there is no satisfaction.

   
Think about this: "Not tongues nor faith nor prophecy nor knowledge nor martyrdom nor philanthropy, but love is the Christian's mark of distinction."

                                                                           - Vance Havner