LOVE IS THE THEME

[Pastor Bayo Afolaranmi]

Dearly Beloved,

LOVE IS THE THEME

“Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1 John 3:1 NKJV).

Apart from serving for a decade as a general evangelist for the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, USA in the 1910s and being a military chaplain in World War I, little was known about Albert C. Fisher (1886-1946), the hymn writer of the hymn titled “LOVE IS THE THEME.” However, his hymn is one of the inspiring hymns that talk about the love of God to humanity. In this hymn, Albert C. Fisher pointed out that out of the themes that men have known, the wonderful love of God supremely stands out and it has been proven through the ages. Therefore, love is supreme, and it is the eternal theme! It indeed grows sweeter and bestows glory as it ever glows as bright as the sun! The bells of Heaven should ring, the saints should bring their tribute, and the world should sing true praises for this wonderful love. Pardon, peace and joy are found in this wonderful love. Albert C. Fisher concluded his hymn by enjoining people, especially sinners to come to the blessed Master, call upon His Name and trust this wonderful love. The wonderful love of God indeed is the greatest theme.

Having highlighted the characteristics of what he tagged “a more excellent way” (1 Corinthians 12:31 NKJV), Apostle Paul identified love as the greatest (see 1 Corinthians 13:13). Apostle John reiterated this great theme in his first general epistle. In fact, the major theme of the epistle is love. He had earlier written in his gospel about the love of God to the world that made Him “gave His only begotten Son [Jesus Christ to die for the ungodly world], that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 NKJV). This love is so wonderful that such persons who believe in Jesus Christ are called children of God (see John 1:12; Galatians 3:26; 1 John 3:1). The wonderful love of God indeed is the greatest theme.

If you claim to be a child of God, this wonderful love should reflect in you. It is not selfish love or lust that many people have used to replace love nowadays, but genuine and sacrificial love. Love is the theme. Do you really have it?

In His service,

Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

Prayer Point: Pray that you will be able to reflect genuine and sacrificial love to other people.