One of my favorite songs out right now is “The Proof of Your Love” by the group, For King and Country. Here is the beginning:
“If I sing but don’t have love
I waste my breath with every song
I bring an empty voice, a hollow noise.
If I speak with a silver tongue
Convince a crowd but don’t have love
I leave a bitter taste with every word I say.”
Oh, how I love these lyrics! The song is based on 1 Corinthians 13. It encourages me and also makes me think about the motives of my heart. Every time I hear it I feel myself crying out to God, “Help me to live with Your love at the forefront of everything I do.” When people see me, hear me talk—I want them to see Jesus in me. The words of the chorus reflect that exact sentiment:
“So let my life be the proof, the proof of Your love. Let my love look like You and what You’re made of.”
When Jesus was asked by the religious scholars what the greatest commandment was, He gave this answer: “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. No other commandment is greater than these.’” Why did He come and die on the cross for you and me? It was because of love.
We may want to love people God’s way, but how do we do that? If we love God first and foremost, then loving those around us is the natural result. Focusing on those two commandments, which according to Jesus Himself are the most crucial, will help us live out God’s love. All the other commandments are fulfilled in those two..
People get beat up in this world. What they want is to have someone care for them. We are born with a need to be loved. We are also made to reach out to others, but it is more than that. I can do a multitude of good deeds. However, if those acts are not accompanied with love, then what have I really gained?
I encourage you to watch “The Proof of Your Love” at the following link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MgVf8fzEiY
Listen closely to the words as you watch and allow God to speak to you. And, remember how much He loves you. Pass it on to others.
©2013 Tammy Maseberg All Rights Reserved