Love Is A Many Splendored Thing
Contrary to popular belief, the phrase ‘love is a many splendored thing’ did not originate with William Shakespeare. The English playwright, poet and actor, died in 1616. The phrase comes from an adaptation of a book written in 1952 by a Chinese-born Eurasian physician and author who was better known by her pen name, Han Suyin. This saying gained wide-spread usage following the release of the 1955 movie of the same name.
Not surprisingly, a song with this title was written by Sammy Fain and Paul Francis Webster for the movie. It has been recorded by The Four Aces, The Vogues, Nat King Cole, Nelson Riddle, Andy Williams, and Frank Sinatra, among others, including (believe it or not) Ringo Starr. And, because Hollywood tries to capitalize on every thing possible, a TV series, an American daytime soap opera of that name even aired from ’67 to ’73.
It seems fitting, in part due to the “Valentine Season”, to bring this to everyone’s attention. But a better reason to draw our focus to “Love” any time of the year is because “Love” is the central theme of the Bible. Everyone is familiar with John 3:16. And yes, the sending of His Son is the climax of God’s love toward man. This plan that culminated with the death of Christ on the cross and His resurrection to die no more to purchase the church was part of God’s plan to save lost souls from before the foundation of the world per Eph. 1:4, Heb. 4:3, and 1Pet. 1:20.
No doubt God has shown His love to humanity in the creation. His love was also shown when He Commanded Noah to build an ark to the saving of his house and by extension, humanity itself. God also extended His love as He separated out a people and gave them a Law. It was through them He would send His Son. In Duet. 10:15, only the Father “had a delight in thy fathers to love them, and He chose their seed after them ”. It was in Prov. 8:17 we read “I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.” But, is love a many splendored thing when love is unrequited? Few are truly aware of what God requires of them that “claim” to love Him. As we read above, God loves them that love Him. But what does this mean? Are we sure we requite (make appropriate return for) God’s love? How are we to appropriately show love to God? Many who claim to love God are the very ones who serve their own wills. We have a glimpse into this even as Christ walked the earth. The Law of Moses was still in effect. As Christ responded to the ridicule of the Pharisees for the refusal of His disciples to hold to the tradition of the elders, He said, “This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. 9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” (Matt. 15:8-9).
When this Law was issued in Exo. 20 and repeated in Deut. 5, we have God saying “And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.”. Of course this Law was specific to the Jews, and designed to keep them separate until Christ came. When He did come, He also lived under that Law. In John 14:15 His apostles elect were told, If ye love me, keep my commandments. In John 15:10 He repeated this when He again said to them, If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. But since then, another dispensation of time, (the final one) has been ushered in, and with it a new Law was given.
We all now live in the New Testament age, and under the N. T. Law, the gospel of Christ. How do we requite the love of God that has been extended to all humanity? Would it surprise you to know that in the short, five chapter book of 1John alone, “his commandments” are referenced seven times? Would it be a surprise that this list culminates with “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.”, as we read in 1John 5:3? What is so hard about keeping God’s Commands? They’re not grievous.
Even though there are quite a few Commandments in the N.T., one can’t continue to “keep them” unless or until one begins. To begin to keep that which God would have one do, is to obey the gospel. This also is not “too hard”. Here are God’s Commandments to obey in beginning to show your love for Him. 1) Hear the Word – Rom. 10: 17; Acts 10:33. 2) Believe that Jesus is the Son of God – John 8:24; 1John 5:5 . 3) Repent of past sins – Luke 13:3; Acts 17:30. 4) Confess Jesus Christ as the Son of God before men – Rom. 10:9-10; Matt. 10:32. 5) Be baptized into Christ for the remission of sins – Acts 2:38; Acts 10:48. And let us not forget - 6) Remain faithful until death – 1Cor. 9:27; Rev. 2:10. These, and many other scriptures show that these “Commandments” are from God.
Yes, love can be a many splendored thing, but only if it is reciprocal. If one loves, yet is not loved in return, where is the splendor? You say you love God, but do you love God in full accordance with His plan? His love and mercy is extended to all. Why not show your love to God by being obedient to, and then faithfully keeping all His N. T. Commandments. Start today. Obey the gospel before it is everlastingly too late.
Dennis Strickland – Mooresville church of Christ
