Paul writes a classic chapter describing love. The word used is not eros the romantic love, or storge the family love or philia the brotherly love, but Agape love. For Christians receiving the love of God and displaying that in life is an absolute mandate. (I Corinthians 13:1-3) Paul writes that without love, any ministry, mission, and service becomes meaningless and amounts to nothing. He provides three aspects that could be seen as great spirituality but empty without love:
1) Supernatural gifts: A person can have eloquence of language, rhetoric to speak, sweet talk like angels. Yet, without love all these greatness amounts to just noise. Empty vessels make the most noise. Gongs make noise by vibration. Its rhythm cannot be controlled. Clamping of the cymbal means useless noise or empty words or high ringing sound.
2) Supernatural spirituality: There could be people who have attained spiritual growth. Such growth could be reflected in the love demonstrated. Otherwise, it is again superficial spirituality.
Prophetic Prowess: Prophetic power is a marvellous gift, only when it is integrated with love.
Knowledge: People could be intelligent, knowledgeable, even wise. They could even understand mysteries. However, if the knowledge puffs and does not build up as love does, it becomes purposeless understanding or prudence. (I Corinthians 8:1)
Great faith: There are people who have great faith, that can even move mountains. Yet, faith must be integrated with love.
3) Superior Sacrifice: People may have such a high commitment; they are willing to give all they possess including their lives. Suicide bombers are willing to give up their lives, not out of love, but out of hate.
People can prophecy, teach Scripture and even move mountains. If they do not have love, they are nothing. (I Corinthians 13: 1-3)
Lord Jesus Christ stated: I am the vine, and you are the branches. Those who do not remain in Christ cannot produce anything. (John 15:5) Remaining in His love is the key for fruitfulness, demonstration of that love is true spirituality. If not, disciples like dead branches are nothing.
Do I remain in His love and display His love?