"Real Love"

Thought I knew love but not so much,

Until her smile, her prayers, her touch,

All that happened, trials and such,

Were so I could find her.

I can’t make sense of everything,

But all I’ve learned with me I bring,

To lift the brand-new song I sing,

‘Bout dreams that still occur.

The same is true of Jesus’ love,

Sent by the Father up above,

Made real by the Spirit’s dove,

And changed my life you see.

And I will love Him till I die,

Then go home with Him on high,

Where every teardrop He will dry,

And forever it will be.

The love down here with her is real,

God made it so and I can feel,

Two made one and that’s the deal,

With her till death do part.

And with the Lord His grace we know,

That as we’re able we will show,

The power of His love aglow,

He overflows the heart.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16, NAS)

One of the most well-known and best-loved verses in scripture, John 3:16 captures the essence of the love shown by the Father through Jesus the Son. God loved so He gave, and all authentic love is the same. Sacrificial giving is the sign of the love that saves. And what is the appropriate response to it? Simply to receive it by faith. The greatest theologians cannot improve on the profound affirmation of God’s ultimate offer to humankind. It is found nowhere else- neither at the world’s carnivals or at religion’s temples. All fall short of the supreme promise. Believe it and you will not die. Receive it and live. Amen.

Lord, help us to receive the gift of Your grace, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Mark Maggiori, used by permission. Thanks, Mark, and God bless you.