By Our Love

The song, "They will know we are Christians by our love" has been running through my head all day, and those are the only words from the song that I know, so literally those 9 words have been on repeat in my mind all day. And it's been awesome- there is a lot in those 9 words! It's based off of John 13:35~ By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. So it's legit, it's in the Bible. But I love it. It doesn't say others will know you are Mine if you have every verse in the Bible memorized, or if you have the 'correct' theology about certain doctrines, or if you have done 50 VBS's in your lifetime, or if you've never missed a day of church. No. It is merely love. Merely and magnificently love. Colossians 3:14 says ~ But above all these, put on love which binds everything together in perfect harmony. Isn't that beautiful? Perfect harmony. Just imagine! If all loved like Christ loved, there would be perfect harmony. I know that is how heaven will be. 

It doesn't say that loving comes easy as pie, though. Just look at us- who would want to love a bunch of lying, judging, murderous, covetous people? I know Christ would, and did, and does, and always will! Thank goodness we have a God who has shown us unconditional, perfect love so that we know what it feels like. I wish all could know this love! Too many people in the world don't know what it's like to be loved, really loved. And yes, sometimes those people are the hardest people to love. But that is when we totally abandon ourselves and ask Christ to consume us with His love, that it might overflow to others! I am learning more and more about this- and boy is it hard sometimes. But we can do all things through Christ!

My roommates and I went to a JJ Heller concert last night, and I was introduced to this song by her. I pray these words, Heavenly Father. Let only love remain. 

Scenes of you come rushing through

You are breaking me down,

So break me into pieces

That will grow in the ground

I know that I deserve to die

For the murder in my heart

So be gentle with me Jesus

As you tear me apart.

Please kill the liar, kill the thief in me

You know that I am tired of their cruelty

Breathe into my spirit

Breathe into my veins

Until only love remains.

You burn away the ropes that bind

And hold me to the earth

The fire only leaves behind whatever is of worth

I begin to see reality for the first time in my life

I know that I'm a shadow

But I'm dancing in your light.

Teach me to be humble

Call me from the grave

Show me how to walk with you upon the waves

Breathe into my spirit

Breathe into my veins

Until only love remains.

Only Love Remains

by JJ Heller