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Everyday Peacemaker

Peacemaker Ministries Devotion: Have Not Love

by P. Brian Noble / March 22, 2021

Scripture

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not 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 have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.(1 Corinthians 13:1–3, ESV)

Thoughts

Have not love.” Paul says it three times, so that his message is very clear. Even if we have these amazing abilities and do generous and sacrificial actions, if we “have not love” we are just noise.

I can be the best humanitarian, or the most sacrificial martyr, but if I don’t have love, it’s all nothingGod is so clear that we must have the right motive—love. He tells us plainly that if we do not have love, there is no gain from anything we do. 

In his first letter, the apostle John reveals how serious he is about believers loving each other:

If we love our brothers and sisters who are believers, it proves that we have passed from death to life. But a person who has no love is still dead. (1 John 3:14, NLT)

Then later he tells us of the reward of abiding in God’s love:

So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. (1 John 4:16, ESV)

Application

In your friendships, are you just a noise? Do you give to the poor, but you don’t actually have compassion for them? Do you look like a sacrificial Christian while inwardly you’re filled with bitterness? Believer, please get serious about your love for others. Take the love test. On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being low and 10 being high, how is your patience, your kindness, your willingness to bear all things, your hope and endurance?

Prayer

Lord, I know that at times in my life I “have not love.” I need you to help me love those around me. And show me how to abide in your love. . . . Continue praying.

Tags: devotion, love of Christ, Relationship

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P. Brian Noble

P. Brian Noble

P. Brian Noble is an everyday guy who loves Jesus. He has been married to his best friend, Tanya, for 20 years and they have four children; they currently reside in eastern Washington. Brian has a Master of Arts in missional leadership from Northwest University. He is the Executive Director/CEO of Peacemaker Ministries. An ordained minister for the past 20+ years (3 years as a Youth Pastor, 14 years as a Senior Pastor, and 4 years as an Executive Pastor), he proclaims hope through the gospel message as the Holy Spirit empowers believers in their daily walk. He believes in the power of the Word of God to transform lives. He has been a Certified Christian Conciliator since 2008, with 1000+ hours of conflict coaching and mediation experience. His caseload has ranged from husband and wife cases, to family farm, to public schools, and even county government. Brian has taught peacemaking in local jails and even internationally in Uganda. His hope is that every Christian reconciles their differences in a way that glorifies God. His hope is that every Christian recognizes they are a Peacemaker before they try to do peacemaking. Finally, his hope is that every Christian reconciles by making authentic peace that blends justice, mercy, and humility.

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