If I have diplomas and degrees and know all the up-to-date methods and have not His touch of understanding love, I am nothing.
If I am able to argue successfully against the religions of people and make fools of them and have not His wooing note of love, I am nothing.
If I have all faiths and great ideals and magnificent plans and not His love that sweats and bleeds and weeps and prays and pleads, I am nothing.
If I give my clothes and money to them and have not love for them, I am nothing.
If I surrender all prospects, leave home and friends and make the sacrifices of a missionary career and then turn sour amid the daily annoyances and slights of the missionary life, then I am nothing.
If I can heal all manner of sickness and disease but wound hearts and hurt feelings for want of His love that is kind, I am nothing.
If I can write articles and publish books that win applause but fail to transcribe the word of the cross into the language of His love, I am nothing.
(From a sermon by Stephen Brown, missionary to South Africa)
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