“Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away. If one were to give all the wealth of his house for love, it would be utterly scorned.” (Song of Solomon 8:7 NIV)

There have been countless songs written about love. Many writers have tried to capture the essence of love. We all want to be loved, and most people would say they want to love others – at least those they consider friends. Yet with all this allegiance toward love, human efforts to love often fall short. Fear, selfishness, pride, greed, mistrust, anger, bitterness, and unforgiveness can stand in the way of love.

We need a model, a champion of love, to teach us how to truly love others. Jesus is the best example and the truest expression of love. He not only taught us with his words, he modeled a life of love. “Love your enemies,” he said; then he showed us how. Rather than defend himself or call on legions of angels to destroy his accusers, he suffered and died to forgive the sins of the world.

We talk a lot about love, but do we live a life that reveals the love of God? Jesus did. And when we invite his Spirit to live in us, He empowers us to love as He loves. Jesus said that we would do greater things than He did. How can this be? If we truly give Jesus our heart will He not fill it with His love, His life-changing and world-reaching and enemy-loving love?

I encourage you to remove whatever blocks your heart from fully receiving Christ’s love. If there is pride or anger or fear, if you love something or someone more than Him – why not let Jesus heal and fill your heart with love? He gives us the Father’s love in full measure. Will you offer Him an emptied heart ready to be filled?

Our hearts are “desparately corrupt” and we cannot see the evil that lurks within us as well as others at times. And no matter how much insight we have we are driven by unresolved issues that we can’t forceably overcome.

God is the only one whe clearly sees how rebellious, selfish, and sinful are hearts have become, and only He in the form of the Son can wash away our sin, with the life-blood He shed on the cross.  The blood of Christ alone can cleanse us from all sin.  The ugly contents of our hear can be changed if we give ourselves fully into the loving arms of the resurrected Christ.  Christ alone paid the price to redeem us from eternal death.  Don’t put off bath time.  Today is the day to come clean – won’t you let Jesus wash your feet – or emerse you into the living waters of Baptism before you meet the judgement of God on the other side.  Jesus is redeemer, savior, and gracious Lord for all who come to Him.  But… He also represents our judgement if re refuse to let Him take our place on the cross.  Not all will be saved, and God’s patient plea will end.  Don’t die without Jesus.  And if you know someone who isn’t saved – remember, friends don’t let friends die without telling them that Christ came to save them from eternal death.

“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow–not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below–indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39 NLT)