A helicopter’s design has been characterized as “a collection of parts flying in relatively close formation.” That’s an understated way to describe an extremely complex mechanical and aerodynamic system. Unlike fixed-wing aircraft, whose design is suited for flight, a helicopter is inherently unstable and requires precise mechanical and pilot input to remain airborne.
The most iconic helicopter in history is the Bell UH-1 Iroquois, commonly known as “Huey.” It was mass-produced during the Vietnam War (over 7,000 units) and used extensively by the U.S. Army Air Cavalry for a wide range of missions.
Unique to that aircraft’s design was the main rotor retaining nut, informally known as the “Jesus nut” by pilots. The unofficial designation reflects the part’s importance (and, more specifically, the consequence of its failure). It was the only thing keeping the rotor attached to the body, so a malfunction would cause the helicopter to drop out of the sky, leaving the pilot a brief opportunity to “pray to Jesus.”
The “Jesus nut” is an example of a “single point of failure.” There is no redundancy. No standby system will activate. One fault is catastrophic. Something similar is found in the Bible.
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. (1 Cor. 13:1–3)
The most extraordinary and provocative spiritual gifts of the first century were the miraculous ones. Paul appeals to them to make his point. You could be like those at Pentecost and amaze everyone by “speaking in tongues,” but if it is not done in love, it’s just annoying. Like Agabus, John the Baptist, Judas and Silas, you could possess prophetic power and speak words of supernatural wisdom, but without love, it’s a waste of breath. You could have faith equal to those commended in Hebrews 11, but without love, it wouldn’t matter.
According to John 15:13, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” Still, giving away all your worldly goods and “delivering up [your] body to be burned” for another person for any reason other than love is nothing more than a waste of money and a match. The exercise of gifts, acts of service and all manner of good works are judged by the heart with which they are exercised. Paul is saying, “If you can’t do it with love, then don’t bother.” He then defines love.
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. (1 Cor. 13:4–7)
That puts “good works” in a whole new light! When you helped someone move, did you do it with patience and kindness? When you gave that gift, did you boast (to yourself, maybe)? When you offered to take someone to lunch, did you insist on your own way? Were you irritable with your family even while preparing a meal for them?
Perhaps you’re tempted to maintain a tally of your good deeds, but that’s not how love works. You’re certainly not allowed to keep a record of wrongs, but you should also avoid keeping a record of rights! Bearing, believing, hoping and enduring are the underlying attitudes that qualify good works as good. Carrying out God’s commands is evidence of an active faith, but only on one condition—that it is done in love! Obedience grounded in love for God and neighbor is the sure way to avoid that single point of failure.
Let all that you do be done in love. (1 Cor. 16:14)