For some 50 years, newspaper columnist Ann Landers' advice column on personal issues was avidly read by millions of readers all over the United States. People appreciated her plain-speaking style, and her short, pointed sentences became legendary. Ann often used the phrase, ″Wake up and smell the coffee″, to tell the person seeking advice to face reality.

In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul, too, is telling the church to ″wake up and smell the coffee″. Although many think of this chapter as a poem on love and like to recite it at weddings, it is actually a stinging rebuke to an arrogant church. The Christians in Corinth claim that they are spiritually powerful, but Paul is not so sure.

Christians can speak in angelic tongues, gain prophetic insight, have mountain-moving faith, or endure great suffering for Christ, but if we don't have love, then it's all ″nothing″ (vv. 1-3). Whatever extraordinary gift I may have, if it's not exercised in a loving way towards my brother or sister, then ″I am nothing″ (v. 2). As Paul had already hinted at earlier, ″we know that 'We all possess knowledge.' But knowledge puffs up while love builds up″ (8:1). It's not that gifts are worthless, or that great acts of sacrifice are meaningless; but if they are not ministered in love, then they are useless or even destructive.

Paul then goes on to describe the love that is lacking in Corinth (13:4-7). It waits. It refuses to pay back. It neither desires what others have nor looks down on them because they have little. This love is not rude or self-seeking, but sees someone else's need and gives. It does not fly off the handle, it keeps no record of wrongs. It doesn't celebrate evil, but cheers when truth wins. Love ″always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres″ (v. 7).

What a description! Replace the word ″love″ with the word ″Jesus″ in verses 4-7, and we get a glimpse of how Jesus lived His life. Jesus is love in the flesh.

In fact, love is what lasts. The gifts that the Corinthians prize and strive for are, in fact, only partial and imperfect. One day, these gifts will pass away (vv. 8-10). One day, we will see God and not need any gift, for we will have Him (v. 12). We may also not need faith or hope the way we do now, but we will always need, experience, know, and give love.

Heavenly Father, thank You that You are love. Help me, having received Your love through Christ, to use whatever gift the Spirit has given me, in love.