It is purposeless to exhibit charisma when it is devoid of God’s love in the heart. Charisma refers to the gifts of the Spirit. Before the possession of the Spirit’s gifts, many people used to be humble, loving, peaceful and easy to relate with. But as soon as they possess these gifts, they become proud.Hence, they “become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.” These gifts amount to nothing for those who still harbour deep-seated animosity in their hearts. Thus, to make progress in our personal lives and ministry, and be rewarded by God, love must be a predominant factor prior to the demonstration of our spiritual gifts. We cannot be speaking in tongues without transparent love of God in our hearts.

“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.” Many people speak in tongues, but do not have transparent love for others. They are eager to demonstrate their gifts out of strife and competition, but cannot manifest God’s love. They slander other people with their tongues and use it to destroy their family. If we must be profitable in the Kingdom, then we must allow God’s grace to temper, transform and make our tongue transparently loving. Similarly, it is pointless, making prophetic proclamation without protective love in the heart.

The Lord wants us to have love that protects others from danger. “And though I have the gift of prophecy… and have not charity, I am nothing.” Despite their gift of prophecy, some people cannot protect others’ interest, lives, feelings and progress. One man in the Bible, Balaam, had great prophecies but lacked the love of the Master. He counselled King Balak to make the children of Israel to sin against God. Christ, in His day, expressed His dismay over such people who are among the congregation of the righteous that teach, influence, instigate and counsel others to sin. They may be effective with their gifts, and have influence and control over others, if they do not have the love that protects others from sinning, they will perish like Balaam. Then, their mountain moving faith will be pointless without the, Master’s love in the heart.

“And though …I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.”Many believers havemountain-moving faith, but lack the Master’s love. They strive for a kind of faith that moves mountain, heals, casts out devils and delivers, instead of focusing more on making the love of Christ reign in their hearts. Such gifts without love mean nothing in the sight of God. Whatever our situation may be, we must learn to “keep (Christ’s) words,” as proof of our love for Him. If we profess to know Him, then we must manifest our love to Him by serving Him. More then that, we will have the manifest preference to possess Christlikeness with love in our hearts.

Generosity and zealousness for religion without charity “profiteth…nothing.” We must aspire to be Christlike always, because Christ and members of the early Church did everything in love. However, it is not enough to copy the actions of other people; we must learn to demonstrate love. It is not the action, but the affection behind the action that matters. If we are Christlike, everything we do in life and ministry will be the expression of love. We will immediately see the insufficiency of sacrificial giving, for instance, without saving grace in Christ.

Although, one great warrior in the Bible, Jehu, was zealous and ended Baal worship in the land, he “took no heed to walk in the law of the Lord, God of Israel, with all his heart.” Like him, many claim to have good intention and yet practise transgression. We can only earn favour and receive heaven’s commendation when the purpose of our actions revolves around love.

And we must not only see the implication by shun burning for religion without the new birth experience through redemption. Many people are good in helping others and solving their problems that they even endanger their lives in the process.

Sadly, they are yet to experience the new birth through redemption. They may engage in activities, but their hearts are devoid of the love of God. Such people “cannot enter into the kingdom of God” and their service would be in vain.

Sincere graciousness with the manifestation of spiritual gifts is indispensable. Before manifesting our gifts, we must be gracious, sincere and maintain a good relationship with others, starting with children, the weak, lowly and downtrodden, and reflect in our language, comportment and actions. You must not be in haste to manifest your gift in the church if your life lacks graciousness, affection, humility and Christlikeness.

• Further reading (King James Version): 1 Corinthians 13:1-3. 1 Corinthians 13:1; James 3:1,5,6. 1 Corinthians 13:2; Numbers 24:15-19; Revelation 2:14; Matthew 7:21-23. 1 Corinthians 13:2; John 14:15,23,24. 1 Corinthians 13:3. 2 Kings 10:16,31; Matthew 5:20. John 3:3,5. 1 Corinthians 13:3; 1 Peter 4:10,11; Ephesians 4:7,11-13; 1 Corinthians 16:13,14.