I. This song is one that has traditional words and melodies handed down from generations past. There is no composer or lyricist cited.
II. Verse 1 (Altos)
Love one another, for love is of God, he who loves is born
of God and knows God.
2 Cor. 13:11, Gal 5:22, Eph. 5:1-2, 1 Thess. 4:9, 2 Tim. 1:7,
1 Pet. 2:15-16, I John 4:9-13, 2:5, 3:1, 4:7.
The greatest privilege that we have as Christians is to be called
sons of God. The blessings and rewards that are promised to the
children of God, can not be equaled by anything here on the earth.
To be born of God is to know Him. In order to know him, not only
do we r, cc, d to study his Word to learn of Him and His Sort,
but we must follow His directions. The greatest commandments that
we have concern love. If we cannot love our brother whom we have
seen, how can we love God whom we have not? To be like God is
to emulate His love. He loved us so much that He sent Jesus to
save us. Shouldn't we, in following His example, have love and
concern for our fellow man? The time and effort that we expend
in doing this is a small price to pay for the rewards of heaven.
He who does not love does not know God, for God is love,
God is love.
John 5:42, 1 John 2:4, 2:15, 4:8, 4:20.
To not love one another, is to not know God. To not know God is
to be separated from Him. To be separated from Him is to separate
ourselves from the blessings and rewards that are promised to
children of God.
III. Verse 2 (Basses)
Love bears all things, believes all things, Love hopes all things,
endures all things.
1 Cor. 13:1-13.
God commanded us to love each other. When a person has love shown
to them, they will be able to handle the problems in this life.
Problems, temptations, trials, and suffering can only be endured
properly if we are shown love. Feelings of abandonment, loneliness,
and isolation tend to magnify the burdens that we bear. To share
with someone else our troubles is to take some of the weight of
these away. We, as Christians, also need to understand that, even
though earthly friends and brethren may forsake us, God will not.
I have, as you may have also, been accused at times of being too
naive, quick to believe in someone or something. When it comes
to love of the brethren, we may be hurt at times, but we still
must believe in God and His power. To allow someone or something
to shake our belief in God calls to question our love of God.
Love of God will result in belief that He is all powerful, and
that all He has said to us is truth. Eternal life, and the hope
thereof, is contingent on believing Him and doing His commandments.
And as first stated, love will help us to endure any trial we
face.
IV. Verse 3 (Tenors)
God is love.
Titus 3:4-7, Rom. 5:6-8, Eph 2:4-7, I Cor. 2:9, 1 John 4:10-11,
4:1617.
The love of God for man is manifested in the sacrifice of Jesus
Christ. While we were counted as sinners (separated from God)
Christ took our sins upon Himself, enduring the humiliation of
the cross. Not only has He taken our sins upon Himself but through
His sacrifice, we are raised to sit in heavenly places. We can
be called children of God. He has prepared an eternal dwelling
place for us with Him and with Christ. As God is (love), so are
we commanded to be (love one another).
V. Verse 4 (Sopranos)
Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul,
all thy strength, all thy mind. Love the Lord with all thy heart,
for God is Love, God is love, God is love.
1 Cor. 8:3, Rom. 8:28, 8:39, James 1:12, Mark 12:30-31.
A commitment to follow God cannot be a half hearted one. The Revelation
tells us that those who are lukewarm will be separated from God.
Failure to love God with our soul will result in destruction of
that soul in torment. It took all the strength that Jesus had
to endure the cross for us; shouldn't we give all our strength
to the Lord? If our mind set in this life is to be self serving,
how does this compare with the mind of Christ? (Phil 2:5-8) Man
is constantly reaching for the best: for the ultimate in life
and it's experiences, for the ultimate in happiness and peace.
But more often than not, he is looking in the wrong place. The
ultimate in love is God; there you find happiness and peace. For
God is Love!