1 Corinthians 13:1-3 (ASV)
1 If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal.
2 And if I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
3 And if I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profiteth me nothing.

There are many good things we can do and it is good to be practising the good works GOD has prepared for us. “Ephesians 2:10 (ASV) For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God afore prepared that we should walk in them.”.

What is even more important is why we are doing these. Are we full of Christ’s compassion and love, practising the fruit of the Holy Spirit, which incudes love? “Galatians 5:22-23 (ASV) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] meekness, self-control; against such there is no law.”. Or are there other reasons like pride, wanting to be seen by people, seeking glory, earning our salvation through good works?

Therefore be encouraged today to examine why we are doing what we are doing? Are we doing it because we have the love of Christ working in and motivating us? “2 Corinthians 5:14 (ASV) For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that one died for all, therefore all died;”. The Defender’s Study Bible explains this well “constraineth us. It is not our love for Christ that constrains us, for our love is variable at best. But His great love for us, the love that took Him to the cross in our place, is the greatest motivating factor for our love and service for Him.”

“1 Corinthians 13:8 (ASV) Love never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall be done away; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall be done away.”
“1 Corinthians 13:13 (ASV) But now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; and the greatest of these is love.”