“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.” (I Corinthians 13:1, NKJV)
PONDER THIS!
You know, I hate to say it, but too many of us are just too religious. We go through the motions of going to church, where we do our “duty” in various ministries. We sing, shout, dance and praise. We have a “good time” in church. But the essence of what worship and church really is about is missed. Too many church people are just making noise.
Paul teaches us in First Corinthians 13 that you can speak in tongues, cry, shout, preach, teach and perform, but if you do not have love for God and love for your fellow man, all you are doing is just making noise.
1. Can you honestly declare that your worship and praise is more than just noise?
2. Can you or do you harbor any animosity toward someone and yet go through the motions of worship? If so, Paul would tell you that you are MERELY MAKING NOISE.
3. Do you have a loveless life? Not that you are not loved because we know God loves you, but because you don’t have or show love for and to others?
Yes, we should, as the Bible teaches, “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord.” Yes, by all means we should, “Serve the Lord with gladness” and “come before His presence with singing.” But what makes that noise joyful and glad is not the sound or the harmony. What makes worship joyful is the love we have for God and for one another. Otherwise, to do anything without love is simply MERELY MAKING NOISE!