Without Love, Nothing

 Numbers 24-27; 1 Corinthians 13 

“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.”

1 Corinthians 13:2

“…’The oracle of Balaam son of Beor, the oracle of one whose eye sees clearly, the oracle of one who hears the words of God…’…While Israel was staying in Shittim, the men began to indulge in sexual immorality with Moabite women, who invited them to the sacrifices to their gods...”

Numbers 24:15, 16; 25:1, 2

Balaam had a prophetic gift to hear and see revelation from God, but his heart was not fully surrendered to God. Our spiritual gifts, including preaching and worship, are not an indication of the health of our heart. Without love, the sacrificial, surrendered, agape love of God, we have nothing. Balaam professed to speak only what God gave him; but, his counsel to Balak to use Moabite women to entice Israelite men into idolatry and sexual immorality was wicked counsel, and it eventually cost Balaam his life. Prophecy without love is dangerous. We are to eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy; but, we are also to daily pursue the love of God. It is the fruit of the Spirit, more than the gifts of the Spirit, which define spiritual maturity.

“Lord Jesus, renew your love in me, for your glory.”