“What the world needs now is love, God’s love, It's the only thing that there's just too little of; What the world needs now is love, God’s love, No not just for some, but for everyone”
These lyrics from a popular 1965 song describe something that is still desperately lacking in this world over 55 years later here in 2021. And though you may have noticed that I made a slight change from the original stanza by integrating "God" into the verses, it is an incredibly significant change as it transforms the message into something infinitely more powerful. That is because what the world needs now is not just an “ordinary” love. What this world needs now is an “extraordinary” love. This type of love I speak of is special, holy and divine as the scriptures tell us, “Love is of God … for God is love.” (1 John 4: 7-8) The flip side of this love coin is hate and we know that hatred has stalked this earth since Satan walked in the Garden of Eden with deceptive and destructive intentions. And since that time his demonic influence has contaminated the very atmosphere we live in and creates the perfect conditions for animosity to exist between the people God so lovingly created. “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.” (Matthew 24: 12) But we are not doomed to the bondage and servitude of evil. And this is because of the awe-inspiring glory of the One Who created us and the majestic, liberating power of the One He sent to save us. And also because of this the devil has no authority over us if we put our complete trust in God. That serpent may have walked into the Garden, but if you remember, he wasn’t allowed to walk out. He was forced on his belly to bite the dust and then slither off of the premises. Now that doesn’t mean he won’t be back to attack, but we already have the battle plan that will ensure our victory when we attack back causing him to abandon his assault and once again compel his retreat. And that battle plan, which contains the timeless, holy and unfailing rules of engagement, is this: “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4: 7) In this chaotic and wicked world we live in it is not uncommon to hear calls for unity and peace from a variety of sources. Sounds good, but talk is cheap. Warm and fuzzy phrases may tickle our ears but are meaningless, empty and hollow words if we only hear them but don’t do them. “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” (James 1: 22) This type of hypocrisy is not only poisonous but indicative of an insidious, underlying problem “Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near Me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour Me, but have removed their heart far from Me, and their fear toward Me is taught by the precept of men.” (Isaiah 29: 13) Therefore, dear ones, let us genuinely endeavor to help one another, not hurt or harass one another. And most importantly, we must do these things with a pure heart. Make the effort not to participate in the pitiful practice of finger-pointing and name-calling that seems to be so popular these days because these things are an affront to the love of God. Hear the wisdom and insight of Jesus as He said, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone.” (John 8: 7) And since we all have our own issues, our focus should first be on purifying ourselves before we attempt to condemn or ridicule others. “….cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother's eye.” (Luke 6: 42) Believe it or not, some might even say that even Jesus was name-calling when He told the Pharisees they were hypocrites. The appropriate response to this senseless allegation is that it is an incorrect assumption and false representation of who He was and what He did. And I’ll tell you why. Even though what Jesus said was completely true, He was not name-calling because His intent and the result was not to insult. The origin of insults is based in vindictiveness, meanness, pride, spite, wrath, resentment, bitterness, nastiness, jealousy and hatred. Since we know all of these things are sinful we are absolutely certain Jesus is innocent of the accusation. “For we have not an High Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4: 15) The motives of Jesus always were, always are and always will be pure. Of course you can’t say that about the wicked intentions lodged in the heart of man. Jesus was courageously describing and informing the Pharisees of the dangerous and deadly spiritual condition they were in and was actually concerned about their perilous position and truly wanted to help them. “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3: 9) In fact, because of His love for them as for all mankind, one of the Pharisees’ most dedicated, loyal and zealous members responded to Jesus’ offer of love and became one of Christ’s most faithful, effective and dynamic servants, known as Paul the Apostle. And just like He did with Paul, Jesus was trying to teach all of them the truth, but He did it sincerely and out of the pure love of His Father, the almighty and merciful God. He was literally “…speaking the truth in love…” (Ephesians 4: 15) And that’s because Jesus, as the Holy One and Only Son of God, literally is the divine essence of truth and love. There is a saying which states, “It is what it is.” Not exactly the most philosophical of quotes, but certainly a pragmatic statement of fact. Likewise we can say, “Things are what they are and people are who they are.” But be that as it may, it is not our job to despise, degrade, defame, denounce, demoralize or deprogram anyone. Our job is to “…do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God.” (Micah 6: 8) Our attitude, inspired by a heart purified by the love of God, should always be one of desiring to be able to help someone or be of service to those in need when we can. “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” (Galatians 6: 9-10)
And the best way to help someone is to lead by example patiently, to forgive abundantly, to serve graciously, to pray unceasingly, to give cheerfully and to love unconditionally. “…be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4: 32) “But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9: 6-7) And do these things for everyone, not only those who like you or agree with you. "But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you." (Luke 6; 27-28)
Yes, things on this earth can be difficult. Yes, people on this earth can be difficult. But as Paul was called to a difficult mission here on this earth, all of us are a part of that same mission as the Lord indicated when He said, “Ye are the salt of the earth ….. Ye are the light of the world ….. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 5: 13, 14 & 16) Yes, our Heavenly Father will endow us with the wisdom and compassion to speak His truth in love and be doers of the same.
Yes, what the world needs now is love. And yes, the world certainly needs more of Jesus’ love in it. So every time the world see us, they should see Him. As Jesus told His disciple Philip, “…he that hath seen Me hath seen the Father.” (John 14: 9) Again, whenever anyone sees us they should see Christ in us. This is because, by the love of God, we have already been given everything we need to represent Him in the best possible fashion: “According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” (2 Peter 1: 3-4)
So let us rejoice exceedingly because the love of our God is exceptionally incredible and unquestionably immeasurable. It is priceless and incomparable. And because of His love for you, He knew you before you were born, numbered the hairs on your head, encamped angels around you for protection, put you in places you had no business being, gave you favor you had no business receiving, comforted your heart during times of grief and sorrow, revealed secrets to you, healed your sicknesses, won your battles before they were fought, filled your cup to overflowing, forgave your sins and, glory to God, saved your soul!
As the gospel song says ….. Love lifted me:
I was sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shore
Very deeply stained within, sinking to rise no more
But the Master of the sea, heard my despairing cry
From the waters lifted me, now safe am I
Love lifted me, Love lifted me
When nothing else could help, Love lifted me
Oh, Love lifted me, Love lifted me
When nothing else could help
Love … lifted … me!
He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.” (1 John 4: 8-11)
Love is the answer to everything.
And the church said, Amen.
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