PASTOR’S CORNER, Phillip Dow, New Beginnings Church, Liberal
“If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.”
With the opening line of 1 Corinthians 13, the Apostle Paul slices through the static of every generation—including our own. We live in an era baptized in words: new podcasts launch daily, social feeds hum around the clock, and hot takes travel faster than the morning paper can hit your driveway. Yet the Holy Spirit, speaking through Paul, reminds us that eloquence without love may impress for a moment but will echo empty for eternity.
Verses 2 and 3 sharpen the warning. Even prophetic insight, mountain-moving faith, and sacrificial generosity amount to very little if love is missing. Holy gifts divorced from holy character turn into spiritual counterfeits. That truth should sober every believer—especially those of us who greatly value the Gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Then Paul paints love in motion: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud” (1 Co. 13:4). Notice the contrast. Love acts—patient and kind—and love refrains —refusing envy, boasting, or pride. Genuine love is simultaneously proactive and restrained: it steps forward to bless and steps back so others may shine. The same Spirit who enables tongues of angels also empowers that holy humility.
What might such love look like on Kansas Ave. this week? Patience could sound like really listening to a neighbor whose politics grate on you, without rehearsing your rebuttal. Kindness might be letting the exhausted single mom jump ahead in the checkout line and then paying for her milk and bread. Refusing envy could mean celebrating a coworker’s promotion instead of replaying the reasons you deserved it. Swallowing pride might look like apologizing to a teenager and using the words, “I was wrong.”
Love is not a suggestion for the spiritually elite; it is the proof that we belong to Christ. Jesus said the world would recognize His disciples by their love. That means our city should be able to locate the people of God by tracing a trail of patient conversations, generous deeds, and humble service.
Here is the challenge I lay before us: over the next seven days, perform one intentional act of 1 Corinthians 13 love each day. Write it down. Maybe it’s visiting a shut-in, tutoring a child, forgiving a long-standing offense, or tipping your server like royalty. Let’s flood our churches— and our streets—with stories that sound nothing like a clanging cymbal and everything like the gospel.
If you need ideas or desire prayer, members of the Liberal Ministerial Alliance stand ready to offer hope and resources to you. Love is not a solo sport; it’s a Spirit-formed community project. Together, empowered by the very Spirit who inspired Paul, we can prove that the loudest sound in our town is the quiet, steady pulse of Christ-like love. If you find yourself in spiritual need and without a home church, I would love for you to come with me to New Beginnings Church.
