1 Peter 4:7–8 (NKJV)
7 But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.
8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”
In 1965 Jackie DeShannon sang “What the World Needs Now Is Love, Sweet Love.” Today in 2023 what the church needs now is love sweet love. It is not the love of the world, nor any narcissistic love. It is not the love of things or admiration from others.
The church needs to have the love of Jesus. Not some syrupy love that has no substance. It is the love of Christ that gives without thought of reciprocation. It is a love that beats in the heart of every true follower of Christ. It is a love that sacrifices self to prove the love of Christ on the cross is real.
Fervent love! It is a love that is stretched and reaches out. It is the intense love of Jesus who left His throne in Heaven and came to a world of hate to save those from eternal damnation. It is the love that gives and continues to give even when there is seemingly no more to give it continues to give.
Jesus was persecuted, opposed, ridiculed and abused. He was spoken against, lied about, mocked and placed upon a cross. He still loved. His dying words were, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.”
The church needs to have the love of Jesus. Jesus did not hate those who hated Him. Jesus was willing to forgive those who sinned against Him. Jesus gave His all. He gave His life for those who hated Him.
John 13:34–35 “A new commandment I give to you is that you love one another; as I have loved you, you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Would others know we are disciples of Jesus by our love?
What the world needs now is for the church of Jesus Christ to have the love of Jesus Christ.
Today choose to let the love of Jesus flow in and throughout your life touching the lives of others.