I have a few places where I’m blind, simply because (praise God) I don’t have that temptation. Gambling leaves me cold: and envy is something I don’t understand. Although I like technical toys, if you have a cool car or camera or stereo I don’t want to take it: I’m glad you have it.
In fact there are some nice things — 1960s exotic sports cars, or the very best musical instruments — I would rather someone else had. I cannot give them justice or have the resources to have the technicians who can keep them in a functional state. I can enjoy it when you bring them out.
But my biggest fault is that I enjoy arguing. It means I don’t care as much as I ought to about thoss who call me evil because I am comfortable being male, white and straight. I need this passage, because I need to remember to love my enemies.
Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the higher gifts.
And I will show you a still more excellent way.
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.
What is this love? Well, it cannot be romantic love. The Pro Photographer would be rightly and properly hurt if I loved another: jealousy, like shame, has a function.
Is it the natural affection I have for my children? Not quite. That has to be limited. There are but a few progeny, and they deserve considerable attention and resources. This love is tinged with worry and concern and care: the love is shown in the washing that is in the machine as I write.
It is more rejoicing when another triumphs and encouraging the good in all. It is not despising others, even your enemies. And those who hate cannot tolerate this.
Agape! 😀 But if you ask God to give you His heart, He’s likely to answer “yes”… and do just that. That’s …um… well, it’s a warning, of sorts.