“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.”[1]

In 1 Corinthians 13 the Holy Spirit, through Paul, reminds us of the supremacy of love for Christ and our fellow man. Today, many Christians are fixated on the gifts of tongues or prophecy. Others are focused on feeding and caring for the poor. And while the spiritual gifts are important and caring for the needy is vital, these are not our ultimate mission. Jesus said “If you love Me, keep My commandments.”[2] And He repeatedly commissioned His followers to preach repentance and remission of sins in His name to all nations.[3] Throughout the Book of Acts we see the love of Christ displayed through the disciples as they urgently went everywhere proclaiming the Word.

So desire the spiritual gifts and care for the needy, but do not neglect our most important task – reaching eternal souls with the only gospel that saves. This is supreme love in action.