3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
The theology of the suicide boomer, if I understand its pure form, is that I give my body so that a much greater good can be accomplished. The worldly system is so corrupt that I must take radical steps in order to stop its progress. I must ignore my family obligations and blow up a few innocents to make my point. Chaos, destruction, TV cameras, mayhem, sorrow, and despair all in the name of something. From my perspective this makes absolutely no logical sense. How can a good be accomplished through such an evil? How can maiming children bring about the triumph of an ideology? It sure seems to be counterproductive. And yet they continue to strap on explosives and enter crowds. And now they are using mentally ill women to do their dirty work, too cowardly to perform the act themselves. This is what Paul said in this passage. The flames are the flames of death, the funeral fire. If we expend everything we have, that might be commendable in certain circles. When the wealthy give a few dollars to some cause they get attention, even though it is just a pittance to them. They never even notice the effect in their lives. Their lifestyle didn’t change at all as a result of their gift. It cost them nothing. The kind of gifts written about here are those that cost everything, even life. But Paul says even those kinds of gifts are worthless. Only gifts given out of love count. It is only when we place the other’s life ahead of our own that love is expressed. Jesus valued our lives so much he freely laid down His in our place. Unlike the suicide bombers, he gave his life so those around Him could live. He took the punishment that wasn’t His, it was ours. We desired it, He didn’t.
The Arnold Journey 